Obituary, Michael Daris Frazier, 74

Michael Daris Frazier, known to friends as Wolf Creek Mike, was born May 30, 1939 in Walla Walla, Wash. to Daris and Ellen Frazier. He grew up in Walla Walla, Spokane, Lake Pend Orrville, and Bremerton, Illahee, and Gilberton on the Kitsap Peninsula. Mike graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle, and joined the Marines on November 10, 1957. 

After receiving his honorable discharge Mike spent a couple of years in college and then it was on to industry, firmly establishing himself in the field of electronics. With many years of successful ventures Mike became the founder of ATL (Advanced Technology Laboratories). Along with backing from the University of Washington, he developed and manufactured the ultrasound scanners that are such a large part of diagnostic ultrasound today.

At one time, Mike was worth millions, yet, by his own words, "I was still empty and searching for the meaning of life." His wealth, business and partnerships, including his ownership and operation of a large gold mine in the foothills of Denali north of Anchorage, all collapsed. This led him to the next step in life, moving to Alaska in 1985. It was during his time in Wrangell, as a participant in commercial fishing operations throughout SE Alaska, at Dutch Harbor, the Pribolof Islands, and in the Bering Sea north of Dutch Harbor, that Mike had an encounter (epiphany) with God, simply asking him to go along with what He (God) was doing. This epiphany, as he would say, directed his choices for the remainder of life. Mike's view of "losing it all"-"None of these things can hold a candle to the relationship with God I have received."

While in Wrangell, Mike was associated in many outreaches, including a homeless ministry in "The Green House" by the ferry terminal, sourdough pancake breakfasts that began on his boat, later moving to be part of The Salvation Army. It is said "He serves the best sourdough pancakes on the west, along with an easy going faith that is contagious." He also delivered groceries and fruit to those that had need in the community as well as on his route back home.

Not everyone knew him by name, rather he was the man riding a bike with two five gallon buckets balanced on either side. The contents of these buckets could have been anything from salmon to pancake batter. Living in an A-frame cabin on the Backchannel had its challenges, but this kept him in great shape and led to numerous encounters with Alaska wildlife and time spent with God.

After being diagnosed with cancer in April of 2012, in an effort to answer the question, "Why did you move to Alaska?" Mike began writing "Mike's Story." He followed that with a more complete and comprehensive book, "Wolf Creek Mike." This book is in the midst of revision and will be available soon. Mike cherished the people he met in life. He covered a wide territory of social classes and economic standings. His past, as colorful as it was, is not held a secret, nor a secret what God has done to deliver him from it. He made it his ambition to "go along with what God was doing" and he passed from this life to his eternal reward, on November 6, 2013.

Mike was preceded in death by both parents and is survived by his brother, Richard Frazier, and family, from Seattle, Wash.

A Celebration of Life was held on November 14 at Harbor Light Assembly of God.