Donald Richard Frazier

Don Frazier, the original owner of Redding French Bakery, moved his family to the unincorporated Enterprise area of Redding in 1962. He and his wife, Lois, relocated from the Bay Area to build and begin the sourdough bread bakery business from the ground up. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Lois. His two eldest children, Robert (Julie) and Susan (Rick). Grandchildren, Kristopher (Cristina), Adam and Rachel. Great grandson, Robert. Preceding him in death, two angels he’s joined up in heaven, youngest son, Michael and granddaughter, Nicole.

Don graduated from San Jose State University in Aeronautical Engineering. He was accepted in the management trainee program, after college graduation, and began his career with American Airlines training under the airlines CEO, legendary C.R. Smith. While working in the Los Angeles Airport, he met many celebrities, including actress Marilyn Monroe. After much thought and his desire to stay in California, the state where he was born, he left the airline to pursue a life surrounded by breathtaking nature in Redding, California. Don’s enjoyment was to be near water when taking precious time off from growing the bakery business. You’d often find him on Lake Shasta in the early 1960’s on a small blue and white ski boat teaching his children how to water ski. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Don and Lois enjoyed lake time on their houseboat, in Ycotti cove on the McCloud arm, docking alongside their lifelong friends Dunc and Gern. Don was the captain of his ship, while driving his houseboat and ski boat back and forth navigating with precision the many arms of Shasta Lake. He was excellent at navigating narrow coves, Shasta’s whitecaps and effortlessly mooring the houseboat in his slip at Holiday Harbor. You’d often find him driving his bright orange ski boat, The Stinger, towing people behind his ski boat teaching them how to water ski. Before he was The Captain on Shasta Lake, he was a Yeoman in the Navy’s elite submarine division. Don traveled to faraway places, including Japan, to patrol under the deep waters as a crew member of the U.S.S. Charr during the 1950’s Korean War.

In addition, Don piloted his small aircraft, a single engine Piper, and later a faster aircraft, a Cessna. You could often spot him in the air taking breathtaking turns with his plane as he took in the views of Shasta County’s surrounding vistas. When summer arrived, Don would meticulously pack up the Piper with paper sleeping bags, a single burner propane stove, and a pop-tent to take his family to many different national parks in the United States. He also flew his plane to Mexico. Don was the human form of “Google” decades before the internet search engines existed. He meticulously researched the destinations he would be traveling to along with his family. Don loved adventure, the arts, and planning new and exciting European adventures, with his wife Lois. Later in their lives, he and his wife traveled down south enjoying Palm Desert and Indio during the winter months. They met like minded friends, hosted dinners and planned parties. There was always the desire to see who could serve up the best homemade cinnamon rolls. In the Desert, Don enjoyed making reservations to see entertainers, shows and the latest entertainment at the McCallum theatre. Including thoroughly enjoying taking his wife, daughter and granddaughter to the Folies Bergere in Palm Springs.

Don’s Celebration of Life will be held on July 28, 2026, at 10:15 am, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Redding, California. His family will celebrate his amazing life with a luncheon immediately afterwards at the Donaldson Fine Art Center. Don will be interred receiving full military honors at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu flowers or plants, please consider donating to The Michael C. Frazier Memorial Scholarship at California SUS in Donald Frazier’s memory. Online gifting accepted at: Please see DONATION SECTION.