Preston John Frazier, Jr., age 86, died May 20, 2012. He was born in Houston on June 12, 1925 to Preston J. and Jenny Walker Frazier. He graduated from Lamar High School and from the Rice Institute (B.S. in Chemical Engineering) and served in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant (jg). In 1950 he and his colleague Addison McElroy founded Faroy, Inc., a candlemaking business, which grew into a wholesale and retail enterprise that shipped candles and other gift items all over the world.
Preston was well known in Houston art circles, having been instrumental in the growth of the Houston Ballet, and will be remembered as the founder of the Nutcracker Market. He served as a founding member of the Contemporary Arts Museum, a benefactor of the Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Children's Museum, the Rice Shepherd School of Music, Fondren Library, and many other artistic and humanitarian institutions.
Preston will also be remembered fondly as a cook, gardener, raconteur and friend.
At his request, there will be no funeral. Plans for a celebration of his life are pending. In lieu of customary remembrances, please send a donation in memory of Preston to your preferred organization.,
Survivors include his sister, Jeanine Nieman, her children Nancie Wagner, Linda Casto and Greg Nieman, eight great nieces and nephews, all of the Dallas area, and Preston's longtime companion, Michael A. Meller.
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