A friend of the Mountain Lake PBS community has passed on, but his legacy may benefit and inspire others for many years to come.
Fulton Fryar, known to residents of the North Country as the first black singer at Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake, New York, died on April 8th from complications of liver cancer.
The North Carolina native was 83 when he passed away. He had served as an ordained church deacon in Burlington County, New Jersey for more than three decades.
In 1957, When Fryar was 17 years old, he was invited to sing in a prestigious summer program at what was then known as Seagle Music Colony. Fryar stayed in a separate room from all the other students, an addition built onto the laundry facilities just for him, a room he nicknamed “the closet.” Seagle officials say the colony itself was never segregated, but racial attitudes made people extra cautious when it came to housing the first singer of color on campus.
Today, Fryar’s separate room stands at the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, as a historical reminder of racial inequality in the Adirondacks during the 1950s. While in his 70s, Fryar visited the North Country to see his closet before it was moved to the museum, and again after it was installed as an exhibit.
“Fulton’s passing reminds me how lucky we were to reunite with him when we saved the closet from demolition and installed it in the Adirondack Experience,” said Darren Woods, Artistic Director of Seagle Festival. “Having him return to Seagle and getting to know this humble, lovely man and his family was one of the highlights of my life.”
In 2020 the Seagle Festival Alumni Association elected to start a Fulton Fryar Scholarship, to be given each year to an artist of color studying at Seagle. According to Woods, the alumni association funds this scholarship annually and there are plans to raise enough money to have it be in perpetuity.
“Having his story live on at the museum and his legacy live on in the artists who receive his scholarship ensures that although he is no longer with us, he will never be forgotten and always be celebrated,” Woods said.
Fryar was laid to rest at Brigadier General William Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey on April 17 following a funeral at his church, the True Church of Christ in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.
Learn more about Fulton Fryar’s Closet
Explore the coverage Mountain Lake PBS gave to Fulton Fryar’s Adirondack story through Spotlight segments produced by Paul Larson.
Fulton Fryar’s obituary, written by his daughter Monica Burton.
Deacon Fulton Roosevelt Fryar Sr., 83, left us peacefully with praise in his heart on April 8th, 2023. His loving wife Barbara was by his side.
Fulton was born March 2, 1940, in Clinton, North Carolina to Minister Willie R.Sr and Hattie L Fryar of Sampson County, North Carolina. Fulton attended the public schools, and graduated from Sampson High School. He was blessed with an operatic voice, and became the lead singer of The Harmonizing Four. He was also an alum of The Seagle Music Colony, where he made history as the first person of color to attend. This resulted in a scholarship, named in his honor.
Later, Fulton joined the Air Force, where he met his ex wife Lolita Makeran. From that union came Alan, Monica, Eric, and Fulton Jr.. After leaving the military, Fulton moved the family to Spring Vally, NY., and began a career in Human Services. While working at Saint Agatha Children’s Home, he became legal guardian to Julio Padilla Sr.
Afterwards, Fulton and family decided to make Burlington County their home. Fulton was blessed to find love again, with his beloved wife Barbara. From that union, the family grew with the addition of Chazzeric.
Fulton was passionate in his love for the Lord, and spent most of his time doing his Father’s work. He became ordained as a Deacon at The True Church of Christ of The Living God, on February 23, 1986. He wanted no other role than that of a Deacon because his desire was to serve. At True Church, he could be seen singing praises, mentoring, driving the church van, musician, Head of the Deacon Board, Superintendent of Sunday School, treasurer, and many other roles. No job was beneath Fulton, as he was happy to serve the Lord. And there he held many offices until recently, when his health started to fail.
Fulton was one of the co-founders of The 101 Club, in which the members were committed to donating $100 monthly, and volunteering one day a month to serve the community.
Fulton continued his career in Human Services at New Lisbon Developmental Center until his retirement as The Assistant Superintendent of Residential Services.
He is preceded in death by his parents Willie R, and Hattie L Fryar. Siblings Billie, Walter, Patricia, James, and Charles, children Julio Sr. He leaves behind to cherish his memories wife Barbara, children Alan, Monica, Eric (Kathy), Chazzeric, and Fulton Jr. Siblings Joseph (Barbara), and Victor (Sherelene). 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, 2 God children, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. Spotlight is also supported by Hill and Hollow Music.