Martin Stewart Fraiser

Stewart Fraiser passed away on December 31, 2025 at age 93. He was born on May 27, 1932 in Lake Wales, Florida, a small town surrounded by orange groves and many lakes. It was there in the swamps and woods with his buddies that he developed his lifelong love of fishing, hunting and the outdoors.

After completing high school in 1950, Stewart enlisted in the Marine Corps looking for a life of adventure following his brother Bill, who had enlisted in the Air Force and his sister Louise, who enlisted in the Navy.

Stewart achieved a distinguished military career raising in rank from Private to Staff NCO, to Warrant Officer to Commissioned Officer. He retired in 1977 with the rank of Major of Marines. Over his career he performed varied duties as a Drill Instructor at Paris Island, Brig Warden, Crew Chief of Armored Tanks and Supply/Disposal Officer. Like most career Marines, his assignments took him around the world from the East and West Costs of America to Okinawa, Japan, Nam Phuong, Thailand and many others.

His personal decorations and awards included the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Drill Instructors Medal, Naval Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and numerous Certificates of Commendation.

During his service in Okinawa he met a young attractive school teacher that he aggressively courted and married. Naoma became his lifelong roommate, travel companion, soul mate and best friend. Naoma passed away in June, 2025 and Stewart never recovered from her loss.

Following retirement from the Armed Forces, Stewart embarked on a business adventure as an owner of a Snap Tool franchise in the Phoenix, Arizona area. After this highly successful entrepreneurial occupation, he and Naoma relocated to the countryside north of Mayer, Arizona to build a ranch from scratch in the middle of nowhere complete with ranch hacienda, cattle, horses and many dogs. From there he renewed and savored his love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing and exploring remote areas all over Arizona. During this time Naoma and Stewart were able to travel extensively and visit many countries around the world and many destinations throughout America.

Stewart was very active in many community, civic and veterans organizations such as the VFW, DAV, Military Officers Association, Elks, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Drill Instructors Association, Tanker Association and many more in which he actively participated, contributed significantly and rose to leadership positions. He was particularly active in the Marine Corps League and Order of Devil Dogs serving at the local, state and national level where he received numerous personal decorations and awards including the National Gold Medal and being named Arizona Marine of the Year and Arizona Devil Dog of the Year.

He was recognized with the prestigious National Medal of Valor from the Four Chaplains Society and was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

During his forty years in Arizona, Stewart promoted a culture of respect for authority, patriotism, recognizing and awarding superior performance in others, responsibility for his own actions and giving back to others. He concentrated his time to assist and provide benefits to other military veterans and their families in Arizona and around the United States.

Stewart was very friendly to everyone and was highly respected by all for his extreme level of honesty, integrity, and self-discipline.

His wisdom, knowledge and opinions were sought in challenging situations and his was always the right path forward.

Stewart is survived by eight nieces and two nephews.

Memorial services for Stewart will be held on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with full Military Honors at the Chapel on the campus of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Following the service, his remains will be inurned and joined with those of Naoma in the Memorial Wall at the Prescott National Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Stewart’s memory to the Marine Corps League, Detachment 906. Please send checks to PO Box 1775, Prescott, Arizona, 86301.