John Walter Fredrick
John Walter Fredrick, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away Friday January 28, 2022 at Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, after a short illness. He was born to John L. and Caroline DeBritz Fredrick on May 14, 1957 in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the first of three sons, including Larry Fredrick of Camargo, Illinois, and Donald R. Fredrick (deceased). He graduated from West Provisio High School in Hillside, Illinois. He worked as a DJ for 4 years and then a tool and dye maker. He served on the school board of St Charles HS for 8 years.
John moved to The Dalles area and married Cheryl DeMyer in 2007. He worked as a tool and dye maker in White Salmon, Wa., then started Elf Janitorial and Carpet Cleaning, then Elf Property Management. John joined the staff at KODL after working on the radio broadcasting ball games with Al Wynn, and keeping stats. He was a host for the Coffeebreak Talk Show two days a week. In his free time you could find him at The Dalles High School gym or field, serving where needed as statistician, announcer, or scoreboard operator. He was a member of The Dalles Urban Renewal Committee for 4 years, and member of North Wasco County School board for two years. He also was a member of the Riverhawk Booster Club and Salvation Army. He had a nose for news, and was passionate about The Dalles politics and Riverhawk athletics. He was a voice of reason and common sense. This year John celebrated his 50 year anniversary as a high school and college sports statistician. He was honored to be invited by Lewis and Clark to do their football states two years in a row, and was selected by the Oregon State Activities Association to do the championship playoffs for football. John’s other passion included rescuing older Labrador retriever dogs from the local animal shelter.
John is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his father, John L Fredrick, his brother, Larry Fredrick, and his children John R (JR) Fredrick of Chicago, Ill, Jennifer Rose Fredrick of Fox River Grove, Ill and step daughter Natalie of Tacoma, WA. He was preceded in death by his mother, Caroline, and his brother Donald.
John’s celebration of Life will be held March 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Granada Theatre. The community is invited to come and celebrate John. If you would like to be speaker, please sign up ahead of time by calling KODL and leaving a message. Donations in John’s name can be made to Riverhawk Athletics, c/o Bill Brost, Athletic Director, The Dalles High School or Home at Last Animal Shelter.