Tucumcari man honored in magazine

A Tucumcari man was one of 10 people honored this year as New Mexico Magazine's True Heroes for his work in helping the poor and homeless via the Ministry of Hope food bank.

A video segment about Doyle Frasier was broadcast Nov. 16 on Facebook and KOB-TV in Albuquerque. Frasier also was featured in the magazine's December print edition.

"The good Lord is leading me to it," Frasier said of the Ministry of Hope in his recorded interview. "I grew up in a poor family ... wasn't sure we were going to have anything to eat. So I've always had a soft spot for the poor people, the downtrodden people. It's what God wants me to do."

The Quay County Commission Chairman Franklin McCasland on Monday on behalf of the commission also presented Frasier and his wife Kathleen a plaque recognizing "their dedication to enrich the lives of Quay County citizens."

Ministry of Hope is a volunteer organization since Frasier started the nonprofit in 2007. He previously had a long career in highway construction, then owned Dickinson Implement Co. in Tucumcari.

The Ministry of Hope distributes 4,000 pounds of food a month, as well as donated clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, toys and other items. It also spends about $2,000 each year on school supplies and gives away about 350 boxes of food for Thanksgiving.

Frazier said the ministry wouldn't do as well if it didn't receive a lot of community support.

"We give away a lot, but we receive a lot," he said. "It's a lot of hard work. You can't do it strictly on your own. You need to the community to get behind you. ... Otherwise, it's not going to go."

Ministry of Hope doesn't assist just locals. It also helps cash-strapped drivers or families who've pulled off Interstate 40 with gas money or a motel room.

Don't expect Frasier, 87, to give up his role at the Ministry of Hope anytime soon.

"I enjoy what I do," he said. "I know it's getting time for my retirement, but I don't intend to retire at all. I'm going to go retire when the good Lord calls me."

The video of the True Heroes may be viewed at https://fb.watch/9kTK9Ss9ig/.

Frasier was working in the ministry's warehouse Thursday morning helping unload the latest food shipments when was shown the magazine article for the first time. He said he still hadn't seen the broadcast announcing the winners.

"I don't do Facebook," he said.

Frasier received a glass plaque for the True Heroes honor.

Frasier said he first learned of his nomination as a New Mexico Magazine True Hero earlier this fall. A film crew arrived at the ministry about a month ago to film the segment.

"I think it's great," he said of the recognition, but he acknowledged the volunteers who regularly work at the ministry. "These people deserve it as much as I do."

The Ministry of Hope, located in downtown near the Tucumcari Railroad Plaza, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.