In life, there are certainly times when we need to take things seriously. But all too often, we allow ourselves to be serious all the time without taking the opportunity to breathe.

That was one of the many great qualities about Ironton councilman Dave Frazer who passed away a couple weeks ago.

Ironton councilman, and Vice Mayor, Craig Harvey said it best when reflecting on Frazer’s life and his steadfast approach but also his understanding of how to bring a level of lightheartedness to his civic responsibilities to the citizens of Ironton.

“He’s always been the same guy. He tells you exactly what he thinks and he doesn’t waver. I always appreciated that about Dave. There are very few of those people left in the world. He brought levity and that will be missed. Because, oftentimes, we take ourselves too seriously. Dave brought levity and I appreciated that,” Harvey said in his statements during the city council meeting announcing Frazer’s passing.

But it wasn’t just his life of service to the residents of Ironton. There are also the thousands of students that he helped educate during his tenure at South Point Middle School as a teacher, vice principal, and basketball and track coach.

Dave truly gave of himself, to the service of our youth and community, until his final day.

For that, we should all say a big thank you.