John Wesley Friddle

John Wesley Friddle, 69, of Salem, Oregon, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016, at his home surrounded by family and friends due to complications from lung cancer.

John was born November 18, 1946, in Houston, Texas to John and Dorothy Mae (Sory) Friddle. He was the eldest of four brothers; Joe, Paul, Larry, and Charles.  The Friddle family resided in Weatherford, Texas where the Friddle boys were raised in the Baptist faith.  John attended school in Weatherford and Peaster and he graduated from Peaster High School in 1966.

Throughout his school years he excelled and enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball. In addition to sports, John shared the love of flying with his father and younger brother, Joe.  As a teenager he spent countless hours working with his father at the Friddle Field in Weatherford, Texas.  He obtained his pilot license and enjoyed flying his Aeronca Champ airplane for many years.

John was also an avid outdoorsman and highly proficient in rifle as well as bow hunting. He participated in numerous archery competitions and won many awards for his expertise and skill.  He developed and produced a hunting decoy which he had patented.  John looked forward every year to opening day whether it be for fishing, deer and/or elk hunting.  He was well-known for his camp line-up and he extremely enjoyed cooking for his family and friends while hunting and fishing.

John married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Bruton. Unto this union, they had two children, Karen and Ronald.  In 1972, John moved his family to Oregon, leaving Texas permanently.  Besides working as a carpenter in the construction field, John spent as much time as possible pursuing gold mining throughout southern Oregon.  John and Theresa later divorced in 1976.

In the late 1980’s, John moved to California to work and continue his pursuit and love of gold mining. He met Debbie Suechting and they were married in April 1989.  After working numerous years for Track & Trail he returned to Oregon.  John and Debbie later divorced.

In 2008, John relocated to Salem, Oregon, to share the remainder of his life with his companion, best friend and soulmate, Marcie Ingledue and her children, Joey and Marissa. He provided an abundance of volunteer hours to support The Arc Oregon to improve and maintain its properties in Salem and Eugene.

John was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2015, and underwent extensive radiation and chemotherapy throughout his battle with this disease. John fought the fight of his life, always tackling it with a positive attitude and belief in God, himself, his family, and his medical team.  He made many new friends and acquaintances and was so thankful for the amazing care provided to him by so many wonderful people.

In addition to his companion, Marcie Ingledue, he is survived by his children, Karen (Tom) Brown, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Ronald Friddle, Coos Bay, Oregon; honorary children, Joseph Ingledue, Salem, Oregon; Marissa Ingledue, Salem Oregon; brother, Joe Friddle, Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Kayla Brown, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Jordan Brown, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Matthew Friddle, Grants Pass, Oregon; Michael Friddle, Grants Pass, Oregon; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father, John Wesley Friddle; mother, Dorothy Mae Friddle; brothers, Paul Friddle, Larry Friddle, Charles Friddle.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Applegate River Lodge located at 15100 Highway 238, Applegate, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to The Arc Oregon, 2405 Front Street NE, Ste., 120, Salem, Oregon, 97301.