Harold Frierson Sr.

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Harold Frierson Sr. Courtesy photo.

Harold James Frierson Sr.
Nov. 3, 1944-April 2, 2022

Harold James Frierson Sr. was born in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 3, 1944, to his parents Freda Thelma Jeanette Shipp-Frierson and Isaac Frierson. He was the second of five children.

Harold was affectionately known in Tennessee as “Bubba” and when he later moved to Oakland he was known as “Jimmy.” He graduated from Pearl High School in 1961 and after graduation, he left Nashville at age 16 and enrolled in the Air Force.

After arriving in California Jimmy discharged from the Air Force in 1967 and took on a series of jobs at Western Union and Lockheed Martin before eventually landing at his career job as a telephone repairman with PAC Bell.

Along the way he also gained an Associates of Arts degree from Laney College in Ethnic Studies — Black Studies in 1973.

Jimmy enjoyed fishing, watching national news shows, reading National Geographic magazines, and astrology, arts and sciences.

His greatest pastimes were watching his favorite teams including the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland A’s and SF Giants but his absolute favorite (and the team he loved from their inception in Philadelphia) were the Golden State Warriors.

Another great joy of his was doing carpentry work and fixing and repairing items and gadgets. He enjoyed new inventions and solving problems, and was skilled at repurposing items and finding and restoring furniture.

He also enjoyed cars and could easily identify the make, year and model of classic cars and even owned a few in his lifetime.

Jimmy also lived in Clearlake for several years.

Jimmy leaves to cherish his memory his dearest friend, Mamie; daughter, Jasmine Dawson; son, Harold Frierson Jr.; stepdaughter, Sharon Spencer; and granddaughters, Vanessa Martin and Terretha Love.

He is preceded in death by stepdaughter, Evelyn McMichael; stepson, Ossie Spencer Jr.; son-in-law, Korey Dawson; sister-in-law, Thame Frierson; as well as both parents Thelma and Isaac.

He also leaves two sisters, Louise Frierson and Frieda Crawley (Randy, Sr.); brothers, Isaac Frierson Jr., and Sherman Frierson (Patricia Merritt); and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.