Leslie C. Fraze

Leslie C. Fraze    January 23, 1947 - May 31, 2026

Leslie Christine Fraze, 79, passed away May 31, 2026 at the Cypress Grove Care Center under the care of Vitas Hospice of Citrus County in Crystal River, FL. 

Her parents were Robert Hutchison and Norma (Lindquist) Hutchison; also preceding her in death were her brother, Marc Hutchison, step-grandson Andrew A. Fraze, and husband of 40 years, Kenneth L. Fraze. 

Leslie was born in Iowa City, Iowa and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, graduating from Lyle High School in 1965. She joined the United States Air Force: her first assignment as the Women in the Air Force Advisor for Air Force Recruiting Detachment 704 based in Minneapolis. She separated from the Air Force to start a family, and in 1973 joined the South Dakota Air National Guard. She transferred to the Illinois Air National Guard, serving as an active duty recruiter until 1978. In 1979, she re-joined the Air Force having become a distinguished graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. 

Leslie’s 28 year career in the Air Force took her to Colorado Springs serving at the Air Force Academy in the Public Affairs office, to RAF Chicksands in 1983 and RAF Mildenhall in 1985 in their Public Affairs offices. In 1987 she returned to Colorado Springs, assigned as media relations officer and Chief, Internal Information Division at Headquarters, Air Force Space Command Public Affairs, Peterson Air Force Base. In 1989 she was assigned as Chief Media Relations Division, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. 

Her last assignment brought her to Florida in July of 1994, assigned as the Deputy Chief, Plans and Operations, US Special Operations Command Public Affairs at MacDill Air Force Base. In 1995 she became Chief, Special Projects and retired in 1997 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. 

A devoted mother and friend, Leslie continued her service as a volunteer in the community. Joining the local Altrusa chapter, she was active with the “Super Saturday for Kids” program at the library from 2000 to 2003. She helped to established the Friends of the Citrus County Library, serving as president and vice president over many years. Their books sales have raised over a $1.5 million dollars for the libraries. Leslie and her husband were also very active in the First United Methodist Church in Inverness, serving on the building committee for their new location on Turner Camp Road. 

Leslie’s hobbies evolved from sports car club and auto races, to quilting and knitting, with books always being an important part of Leslie’s life. 

Leslie is survived by her sister Nicole Avery, daughter Shannon Muchow (Michael Baker), stepsons Russell Fraze (Karen Jenkins) and Andrew Fraze (Melissa), 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on July 10th at noon at the First United Methodist Church in Inverness, FL followed by a memorial interment at 2pm at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. A reception at the First United Methodist Church will follow both services. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Library in your area. 

Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.heinzfh.com.