John was born in Eureka to parents Attilio and Dorothy Freson. He had two sisters, Marie Johnson and Phyllis Patton.

He went to Marshall Elementary School and graduated from Eureka High. He was active in the 4H and FFA Programs. He worked on many ranches as well as his own through the years, beginning in high school, as that is where his heart lay.

At 19 years old John married his high school sweetheart, Donna Brown, and was drafted into the Army. John and his wife spent their time in the service in Alabama, where their firstborn, Sandra Dupret, was born. After his time in the service, he came home to go to work for Mulkey and Kovacovich and he and his wife had three more children — Lori Borges, Johni B Atterberry and Mark Freson. He loved ranching, hunting and country life. Later in his life he met Rosemary Moore and her daughters Peggy and Christine. He helped raise the girls to adulthood.

In his last few years he lived in Loleta and was cared for by his children, his wonderful daughter-in-law Verlenea Freson and son-in-law Norman Dupret.

John is survived by his sister, Marie Johnson, all of his children, nieces, nephews and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he adored. John will be missed for his love of telling the best stories and his love of gab with anyone and everyone he met.

A celebration of life will be held on November 5, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Bear River Casino, in the ballroom.