Berkley L. Fraser, age 78, died peacefully at his home in Gulf Shores, Ala., Friday, Jan. 22, surrounded by family and friends.
Born in MacClenny, Fla., Mr. Fraser graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla. and attended the University of Florida.
A 50-year veteran of the broadcast industry, Fraser was one of the first rock and roll disc jockeys in America, introducing the new genre of music as an air personality at WPDQ in Jacksonville, Fla. in the mid 1950s. In 1964, he established WYDE in Birmingham as one of the most powerful modern country stations in the region.
As vice president of radio broadcasting for Screen Gems Broadcasting, he oversaw operations at WYDE, WAKE, Atlanta and WWNA, Wheeling, W.V., another powerhouse country station and home of the Wheeling Jamboree.
He later became a partner with his longtime friend, John Dunn, in Dunn Broadcasting, acquiring and managing stations in Providence, R.I., El Paso, Texas and Albuquerque N.M. He returned to Birmingham, Ala., where he managed WKXX/WERC.
Prior to his retirement, he served as an advisor/consultant for Samford University’s student station, WVSU-FM, which he established as Birmingham’s only smooth jazz station.
Mr. Fraser and his wife, Judy, retired to Gulf Shores in 2004, where he enjoyed boating, gardening and feeding the ducks and birds on his version of “On Golden Pond.”
A former member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, he and his wife became active members of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, where he served as president of the Men’s Club and as a lector/reader.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Vaughn Fraser; son, Christopher Fraser (Karen), Charleston, S.C.; son, Robert Fraser (Kim) Piedmont, Ala.; daughter, Stacye Fraser Thompson (Andy), Birmingham, Ala.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service honoring Mr. Fraser will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Gulf Shores, with a reception following for friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holy Spirit Church Memorial Fund, 616 Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, or the Christian Service Center, 317 Dolphin Ave., Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
