Robert Fraley

Robert Fraley was born to Norma Elnore Beinhoff & Alva O. Fraley in Huntington, West Virginia on May 18th, 1925.   He was born into a blue collar family. His father worked for Ohio Electric. He had 1 brother named Ralph Eugene and the other siblings that were stillborn. Bob grew up in Mansfield, Ohio where he graduated from high school and then enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII as a signalman until the war was over.   Bob got the calling to ministry and attended Ashland College where he graduated in 1952 and received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Religion. He then attended Oberlin Graduate School of Theology and received a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He also received a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt.   After graduating from Vanderbilt he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Leone Snyder. They married on June 4, 1949 in Butler, Ohio. Ruth's mother said the marriage would never last. Ruth died one day after their 59th wedding anniversary.   Bob and Ruth pastored for 50 plus years, having four children, Cassandra, Daniel (Cheryl), Keith (Debra) and Deborah (Lisa). Bob had many grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Bob loved his family and he performed the marriages of all of his children, and grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his brother, Ralph; his father, Alva; and his mother Edna.   Bob first pastored in Ohio. He then pastored in churches in Moopark, El Cajon, Santa Ana, Northridge and San Fernando in Southern California, as a clergy member of the California Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Pastor Bob finished his years of ministry in Arizona as the pastor of a double assignment of Holbrook and Show Low and White Mountain United Methodist churches. He also pastored in Holbrook and Show Low, Arizona where he was the first pastor of the new campus of White Mountain Methodist churches. He was the resident pastor of the Ministerial Association in San Fernando Valley. He also started the Transients Aid Program in Show Low, Az.  Pastor Bob was the chairman of the Salvation Army and he started the Helping Hand in Show Low, Az.  Pastor Bob was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He also was the recipient of the “Million Mile Award” for the veteran’s disability van. Pastor Bob was honored by the White Mountain Methodist Church in April 2016 as Pastor Emeritus. Pastor Bob was also a member of the Desert Southwest Conference of the Methodist Church. Bob will always be remembered for his giving to the poor and helping the transients.   Bob left to go be with Ruth and his Lord on September 20, 2016. May the angels sing as he enters heavens gates!   Memorial services will be October 22nd, 2016 at 2:00pm at the White Mountain Methodist Church at 261 N. 5th St. Show Low, Az. 85901 with Pastor Michael Downing officiating.