Have Clown Shoes Will Travel
Ramona Couple Shares Smiles with Children Around the World

Families waiting to greet returning Marines at a recent homecoming.

By Jim Evans

It started eight years ago when local attorney Sam Frazier needed a disguise for an undercover assignment. Frazier, an attorney and owner of California Detectives, a licensed detective agency since 1984, concealed his identity by dressing as a clown. While performing his undercover work, he was approached by an agent who invited him to do a two-hour performance at a shopping mall in Victorville.

Frazier was so enthralled by the experience that he decided to become a "real" clown. Already a successful amateur magician for many years, he received his initial clown training from "Kupcake the Clown" and then enrolled in Clown Arts School under the tutledge of Ringling Bros Circus clown Priscilla Mooseburger and other Ringling clowns at her facility in Minnesota.

"My clown instructor at the school was Frosty Little who performed regularly with Emmett Kelly and Lou Jacobs," Frazier explained. "He is the red-capped clown that you see on all of the Ringling posters. He was the boss clown and wrote most of the traditional skits still used by Ringling today."

Grammy Pammy (Pam Frazier) specializes in artistic face painting.

Frazier's wife, Pam, often joined him, twisting balloons and performing magic tricks for children at birthday parties and was soon inspired to become a clown, too.

"I have always been fascinated by clowns," she said, "and decided to join him (as a clown)."

"She is a gifted artist and specializes in skits and artistic face painting," said her husband.

Now known as "Grammy Pammy" and "Grandpa Doubtfire" they perform together all over the world with magic shows, juggling, balloon- twisting and sculpture, face painting, sing-a-long songs, comedy skits and generally doing anything that makes people smile. They also are founders and directors of Clown Ministries International, a privately funded international and public ministry dedicated to clowning for religious and charitable purposes for children 1 to 115, training other clowns for public service and foreign missions, and enhancing the clowning arts through public service work throughout the world.

Grandpa Doubtfire (Sam Frazier) entertains children with his balloon twisting and sculpture.

Clown Ministries also conducts a special workshop for would-be clowns every year. This year's "Introduction for Clowning Workshop" will take place on April 29 at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. Pre-registration is mandatory, and the cost is $25 for the day long clinic in clowning.

"We train clowns for pubic service," Frazier said. "But many of our graduates go on to become professional clown entertainers."

The one-day workshop is designed for those with little or no experience at clowning and for those clowns who wish to learn new skills and enhance their clowning business.

The Fraziers met in 1974 while they were both teaching for the San Diego Unified School District and he was attending law school. He was raised in Missouri and graduated from Glendale High School and Phoenix College in Arizona before completing his law degree in 1977 at Cabrillo Pacific College of Law in San Diego. He has been engaged in the full-time practice of law since 1978 - specializing in employment litigation and personal injury lawsuits - and is currently serving as president of the Ramona Bar Association.

Pam Frazier grew up in Lima, Ohio, graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in education before moving to Vista to assume her first teaching assignment. She completed her graduate work at San Diego State University and has been a teacher of children with special needs for almost 40 years. Residents of Ramona since 1983, the Fraziers have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

What is it about being a clown that they enjoy the most?

"I most enjoy the smile and laughter of a child when I show them their face after I have painted and transformed them into a princess, a bunny, or Batman," Pam Frazier said. "I also enjoy the adults who let their little kids come out and play as they burst out laughing when they see us."

And Sam Frazier? "I enjoy entertaining people and making them laugh and escape whatever is causing them pain - even if for a few moments. When they are smiling, they aren't hurting."

Their most memorable experience as clowns?

"There have been so many memorable experiences," Frazier said. "Our ministry has taken us to impoverished villages, orphanages, juvenile detention facilities, homeless or sheltered children, and to military homecomings. Each and every smile of a child remains the most memorable moment, knowing that for a brief moment in time, you brought joy into their lives."

"I have three or four recurring memorable events," Sam Frazier said. "But the recent Marines homecoming was the highlight of my clowning. The emotions ran so high. I'm not a tearful person, but watching the reunion of the Marines landing directly from Iraq and meeting with their families was quite emotional."

Their advice to other aspiring clowns?

"Clowning is an art form which incorporates many mediums such as puppets, balloons, magic, face painting, mime, and slapstick," Sam Frazier said. "Anyone who wishes to become a clown should avail themselves of the many books written on the art of clowning. Perfect what you are good at, practice it and go out and make someone smile."

Grandpa Doubtfire and Grammy Pammy have generated smiles all over the world with their unselfish devotion to making others happy. For information about how to obtain a clown for a special event, or to participate in the upcoming clowning workshop - call the clown hotline at (760) 789-8331 or refer to www.clowns2.com.

PhotoS Courtesy of SAm Frazier