John David Fredrickson

Dave was born on July 2, 1944, in Hayward, California, and was adopted by loving parents Leslie John and Afton Mauss-Fredrickson, and there he joined his older sister Sondra. They were best friends right from the start. At just 2 years old, his mother Afton passed away, and his dad later married Leone Balli, and they together had three more children, Jane, Paula, and Lynn, and resided in Murray, Utah. Dad attended McMillan Elementary, Hillcrest Junior High, and Murray High School, where some knew him as “Freddie” or “Tiger.” He left school in his senior year, afraid that he would not graduate, so he enlisted in the Marines for a four-year tour where he was stationed in Okinawa. Dad did not talk too much about the time he served in Vietnam with us. We believe it was something he just needed to keep close to himself.

Dad grew up in the perfect time in Murray City. The city was small then, and he and his friends could ride their bikes everywhere. He had many good friends in the neighborhood, and they would always be pulling pranks and getting up to all sorts of shenanigans! Dad loved the scouting program. He went to every camp and earned every badge. He was a true leader at both the church and the scouts. He also loved tinkering around on different projects and loved to work with his hands and build things. He even built a hutch for his mother, which he passed on to his daughter, Jennee.

Every year for Christmas, Dad received a new Lionel train piece to add to his train. His sister Sondra said every year, David would set up his track and train in their living room, and he would have everyone gather around as he got it going. She said they were all more excited about what David got than they were about their gifts. Dad even had a train room when we were little, and loved to go on a train ride. A few years back, before Darlene had passed, he was still talking about all of the kids and Darlene going and jumping on a random train and seeing where it took us. That is how much he loved trains.

In September 1970, Dad and his High School sweetheart, Jill Roberts Fredrickson, welcomed their first-born son-John McKay. They married shortly after and welcomed 3 more children to join John. Jennifer, Chris, and Cody. They enjoyed fishing, camping, and boating together. Many adventures to Fish Lake and Mirror Lake. Dad loved the outdoors and instilled that love for fishing and camping into his children. Dad and our mom, Jill, later divorced, and lived close by so we could still spend time together.

In 1980 he met his wife Darlene and together they welcomed our little brother to the family- Terry D. aka Tudor. They married a year later, married 33 years all together. The family was complete with her sons, John and Kelly Keith who now joined the Fredrickson clan where they now had 7 children all together. At dinner or Christmas breakfast when Dad made his waffles, we all gathered around a picnic table in their small kitchen and enjoyed every moment together. As our family grew, we had to venture out for the Holidays. Dad enjoyed taking us all to Golden Coral for our Christmas together or even just taking us so we could spend some quality family time together. Dad loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. It meant the world to him when we were all together.

Dad and Mom enjoyed an adventurous life together. They loved the west desert just as much as they loved the beautiful mountains. They camped across the country in their motorhome, often with Rod, Mercy, and Tom, rode countless times on their four-wheelers or side-by-side, exploring not only this magnificent state but also Route 66 and even up into Canada. Dad was always up for taking anyone who would join him out onto the Pony Express Trail. He knew it like the back of his hand. He loved showing us all the secret places he knew, and especially the frog pond. Oh, my goodness, he loved that place. It was so fun watching him go around and catch frogs or babies, and then taking them home to his pond. We are going to miss going there with him and all his wild and crazy adventures. There is nothing he was not up for and would be ready at the crack of dawn just to get the day started. Don’t worry, Dad, we won’t tell anyone about your secret places. We promise we will go there, and hopefully you will be there to join in with us.

One thing about our dad, or "Grandpa Dave" to his grandkids, is that he loved many things in his life. Heinz Ketchup- has to be Heinz or no ketchup at all, liver and onions, biscuits and gravy, ice cream, frogs, M&M collectables, Corvettes, and old cars, his yellow Tonka Truck, his oldies music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, thrifting, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, boating, watching the wild horses cross his path, westerns and of course John Wayne.

Dad had a very strong work ethic and loved to serve people. He was the kindest man with a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone. Everyone loved Dave. The kids in his neighborhood especially loved Dad. They called him the “Candy Man.” Anytime the kids on his street wanted candy, soda, or a popsicle, all they had to do was go to Dave's house, and the "Candy Man" was always ready for them. It made his day just as much as it made theirs. Dad worked many years in the janitorial field, and many of those years were spent at Valley Services and Utah Non-Profit. He had many friends who admired him and always looked forward to seeing him. He always had a joke and a hug for those who asked. Especially all his older friends he worked for through Utah Non-Profit. He enjoyed what he did, and mostly that was due to the fact of the people he worked with or was going to see at work.

Dad, we are going to miss you more than you know. We will miss your laugh, your smile, your hugs, your never-ending eye rolls, your jokes, your shenanigans, and most of all, spending time with you in all your favorite places. Oh, and of course your famous sayings- “It is what it is,” OR “It's just one of those things.” We love you, Dad, and are forever grateful to have you as our dad. You will be loved and missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you. We are so happy you are united with mom and your family. We know they were there to bring you home. That is what brings us most comfort.

Dave is survived by his children, John (Tammy), Jennifer-aka-Sis, Chris (Danielle), Cody (Tiffany), Terry D.-aka-Tudor (Luke), and John Keith (Starla). His grandkids, Dylan, Tyler, Ryan, Kalli, Dallas, Gage, Brooklynn, Tyler, and Devon, and his 6 great-grandkids. His four siblings, Sondra, Jane, Paula, and Lynn. Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Darlene, his son, Kelly Keith, his parents, Leslie, Afton, and Leone, and by his birth mother, Florence.

Thank you to all the wonderful ladies that helped provide our dad with so much comfort and care in his last days. You all know who you are, and we appreciate the way you treated and cared for our dad. It is good to know that his last meal was one of his favorites, ice cream and a coke.

A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at Noon on Tuesday April 22nd, 2025, at Valley View Funeral Home located at 4335 west 4100 south in West Valley City, Utah. There will also be a viewing held on Monday April 21st, 2025, from 5pm to 8pm at the same location with a small viewing to be held the morning of the service from 11am-11:45 am. Please come celebrate and share your memories of this amazing man we all loved.

***PLEASE COME DRESSED IN JEANS AND RELAXED CASUAL ATTIRE, NO SUIT, TIES OR DRESSES REQUIRED HERE!” EXCEPT DAD. HE’S THE ONLY EXCEPTION. ***

John will be laid to rest in Valley View Memorial Park - Lilac Garden, 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT 84120-5102.