Long-time Farragut principal dies

Knox County Schools has lost one of its long-time principals. 62-year-old Robert Frazier, Farragut Intermediate School's principal, died suddenly at his home early Tuesday morning. Dr. Frazier was the only principal in the history of Farragut Intermediate School, and he will not soon be forgotten.

After a school-wide announcement relaying the sad news Tuesday morning, school counselors went to each classroom to talk to the students.

"There's a mixture of reaction. Some kids I don't think know what to feel. I think a lot of it is shock. Some are sad and are crying, but for the most part very quiet," said Farragut Intermediate School counselor Amy Kroninger. But in the cards and drawings they make for Dr. Frazier's family, the students' feelings are coming through loud and clear.

"There's just an overwhelming sadness and emptiness, just because we have truly lost a great principal, a great leader and a great friend," said Farragut Intermediate School assistant principal Kay Wellons. Dr. Robert Frazier was there for the students and staff of Farragut Intermediate School for the past 30 years.

"He was just someone you could count on. He was someone you could turn to to give you the absolute best advice possible, and he always had the best interests of his students as well as his staff at heart," said Wellons.

As staff members grieve the man they describe as strong, professional and most of all caring, they keep in mind the words he used to comfort one of them just a couple weeks ago.

"And he said, 'Yes but you know, Miss Wellons, you always carry them with you right here in your heart.' So today I do believe we all feel him right here in our heart," said Wellon. Dr. Frazier is survived by his wife, four children and seven grandchildren.