John Frossard
John William Frossard, 65, of Fishersville, VA, passed away on June 26, 2024.
John was born in Denver, Colorado to Robert And Kay Frossard on June 21, 1959. His childhood was spent mainly in VA. John graduated from John Marshall high school in 1977, where he excelled as both a student and an athlete and baseball, football, and basketball. John earned his bachelors degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1981. His first career was in banking as an internal auditor, but John quickly realized that his passion, like his father, was public education. John earned his Masters Degree and Secondary Education with a specialization in Instructional Application from the University of Virginia, where he also earned his doctoral degree in Public School Administration and Supervision.
John married his first wife, Cathy Grove Benner in 1980, and was married to her until 1993. They relocated to Warrenton, VA, where they raised their children, Laura, Rob, and Tommy. John worked for many years as a business teacher at Fauquier High School. While there, he sponsored many clubs and served as an assistant basketball and football coach. John moved into school administration as an Assistant Principal at Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and as an Assistant Principal at James Wood High School in Winchester, VA. John became an expert at opening new high schools in Virginia, and he was the first principal of Sherando High School in Winchester, Heritage High School in Newport News, and Landstown High School in Virginia Beach.
John quickly moved up the professional ranks, serving as Assistant Superintendent of instruction in Virginia Beach, VA, and later as a Superintendent of Schools in South Carolina for a short time.
In 2003, John married his second wife, Nancy Frossard, and remain married to her for 19 years. At this time, he relocated from Virginia to North Carolina. He became Superintendent of Schools of Lenoir County Public schools in Kinston, North Carolina. John and Nancy there became parents of their son, Elijah, and continued raising her daughter, Gabrielle True.
In 2007 John, Nancy and their son Elijah moved to Texas where John served as Chief Academic Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Assistant Superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugarland, Texas. John later served as a Superintendent of Schools at Wichita Falls Independent School District in Wichita Falls, Tx. In 2015 John began his final position as Superintendent of Schools at Beaumont Independent School District in Beaumont Texas. John retired in the spring of 2019.
At this time, John and his family moved to Augusta County, VA, where he spent the remainder of his years in retirement.
John founded the Principal Fastrack Association and How to Achieve Association. John authored several books, including How to Achieve, Successful Adults Give Advice for Young People, How to Raise Student Achievement, 101 Strategies, and was a contributor to the Next Big Thing: Top Trends From Today’s Leading Experts to Help You Dominate the New Economy, with his nationally recognized chapter on Building Your Business on Purpose.
John was considered a national educational expert on student engagement, effective use of time in a school day, school and community relations, and principal preparation. He was dedicated to school improvement, educational transformation and cutting through red tape to make good things happen for kids.
As to his faith, John and his wife, Nancy partnered with Angel House and other ministries to fund the construction of many church orphanages in various countries, which he considered one of his greatest achievements. John also funded the building of many water wells in various countries where they were needed. He gave to many other charities and Christian ministries as well. John attended church regularly with Nancy and Elijah during their 19 year marriage, and was an active and supportive member of the Church from the time he gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 2002.
John was a true sports enthusiast – ever loyal to the Washington Redskins/Commanders.
John was preceded in death by his father, Robert Thomas Frossard.
John is survived by his daughter, Laura Frossard; his son, Robert Frossard; his son, Thomas Frossard; his son, Elijah Frossard; his stepdaughter, Gabrielle True; his grandsons, Bryce Fargo, Jaxon Grant, Abram Benner; his granddaughter, Carlie Craft; his brothers, Chris Frossard (Shauna) and David Frossard (Ginny); his cousins who he considered his sisters, Janice Frossard (Katz), Carla Frossard Batten (Bob) and Michelle Frossard. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by both of his wives, Cathy Benner and Nancy Frossard, and by his children and grandchildren.
The memorial service and final resting place will be conducted privately among family members according to John’s final wishes.
Memorial remembrances may be given in John’s honor to any public school that serves children in need, or donations can be given to the American Heart Association, Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Angel House (angelhouse.me), which builds orphanages for homeless children in Third World countries.
The family of John Frossard wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the outstanding medical staff of Augusta Health, Medical Center in Fishersville, Virginia.