Edgar Frazell was born in Riesel, Texas in 1907. His medical education was at the University of Texas Medical Branch and his internship was at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, followed by a residency in surgery. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1942 to 1945.
Edgar became a consultant at the Memorial Hospital and subsequently rose to the chief ship after the retirement of Dr. Hayes Martin. Edgar served with distinction in this position from 1957 to 1969. He was an Associate Professor of Surgery on the Cornell faculty.
Edgar them moved to San Antonio, Texas where he was on the staff of several hospitals and also held the rank of Clinical Professor of Surgery in the University of Texas.
In addition to his active role in the SHNS, he was a member of the American Thyroid Association. Among his publications, there are several papers by Dr. Frazell that are considered classic in the field of salivary and thyroid neoplasia.