John Frizzell

John Roy Frizzell, son of Roy Eli Frizzell and Maurine D. Frizzell was born in Osceola Iowa on May 4th, 1947, and passed away on July 1st, 2022, at the Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines IA. His family moved to Ames Iowa in 1951 where Roy managed a HyVee store. In 1961, Maurine and Roy moved their boys, John and Joe to Chariton. John graduated from Chariton High School in 1965. In 1968, John joined the Navy. The reason that John chose that branch of service was they offered a 3-month delay. The delay allowed time to marry Kay Snyder from Corydon in June and leave for boot camp 7 weeks later. About the end of 1970 John was assigned the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, where he served as a radioman. He was deployed twice to SE Asia and spend his time off the coast of Vietnam in the Tonkin Gulf. He was discharged in May of 1972. He received his degree in animal science at NE Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO. He returned to Clarke County and purchased the feed store in Woodburn Iowa. Two years later he began farming full time and continued farming for 25 years. He then rented the ground and became semi-retired. John and Kay built rental property in Osceola in 1985 and later worked part-time for Dan White at White Woodworking. During his time in Clarke County, he served 9 years on the Clarke Community School Board and several years on the Clarke County Development Corporation. John was a longtime member of the Woodburn volunteer fire department and many years with the Woodburn American Legion post # 157, was a longtime member of the Woodburn Christian Church. John was also a 20 yr. member of the USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association. One of the highlights of his military experience was sailing with 60 fellow association members on the last leg of the USS Kitty Hawk from San Diego, to Bremerton WA where it was decommissioned in 2009 after returning from Japan. John and Kay enjoyed going to the USS Kitty Hawk reunions every two years, but the most special where the last two trips to Charleston and San Diego with his Grandson Eli. He took great pride in serving his county. John was lifetime Cyclone fan and member of the Cyclone Club and enjoyed tailgating at Jack Trice Stadium with his family. John made sure his daughters new about the Dirty Thirty team from 1959 and the story of Jack Trice long before the stadium was named after him. John took great pride and pleasure in farming with his father. Being a city boy, John gained his knowledge of farming and raising cattle from his father Roy, Uncle Charlie Frizzell and his father-in-law Paul Snyder. John gained his love of horses from his father and had a soft spot for all animals and took in countless numbers of stray animals that found their way to his farm. John loved spending time telling stories and laughing with his family, his friends and his morning coffee crew buddies. The more the merrier. His friends referred to him as “J.R.” and loved being known as “Farmer John” to Kelly and Katie’s friends. He loved his travels with his family to many places, especially the Colorado Rockies or anywhere with a lake. He most loved being at home on his farm.

John was preceded in death by his parents and many loved relatives. He leaves to cherish his memory to his wife, Kay; daughters, Kelly Frizzell of Ames and Katie (Aaron) Wood of Altoona. His grandchildren, Kristen Wood, Taylor (Tyler) Seymour, Eli Wood, and his great-granddaughter, Audrey Mae all of Altoona. His brother, Joe (Debbie) Frizzell; his nephew, Kyle (Tiki) Frizzell; niece, Kari (Troy) Jepson and his great-nieces and nephews Andrew, Owen, Brynlee, Abi, and Aubree as well as a host of close family members. He also leaves his horses, barn kitties and his loyal side kick, Jack.

Services were held at Kale Funeral Home, Wednesday July 6, 2022 at 2:30 pm with Pastor Willa Heaberlin officiating.

The family greeted friends from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Kale Funeral Home.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on John’s tribute wall beginning at 2:30 pm, Wednesday. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Clarke County Animal Shelter or International Foundation For CDKL5 Research

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com