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Life story

" WFVA radio voice is silent.

John A. Freshwaters, better known as John Parker at ‘ Parker's Place’, passed away on March 5th 2025 at age 98.

This popular disc jockey spent 23 years on B101.5 FM and WFVA 1230AM in Fredericksburg, Va. before retiring in 2004.

John was born January 17th, 1927 in Keota, Ia. In his youth he was quite a sports player. He lettered in high school basketball, football and baseball, baseball being his favorite sport. He served the United States Military in the United States Coast Guard. Upon leaving the Coast Guard, John started his broadcasting career in Lansing, Mi. where he broadcast Michigan State football and basketball games. While at station WJM, he spent two summers playing baseball in the minor leagues as a pitcher before returning to call the play by play for the Michigan State Spartans in the late 40’s and early 50’s.

Next, he joined WWJ-TV in Detroit as a sports commentator. A few years later, a call from San Diego's KOGO-AM sent John to California for co-hosting nightly sportscasts with Regis Philbin as his anchor and Raquel Welch as the weather person.

In the 60’s, he joined the San Diego Padres to call their games. He also called the San Diego Chargers football games in the days when the famous Sid Luckman was their coach.

John's next move was to Las Vegas where a college roommate had taken over KORK-AM TV and hired John to call the University of Nevada Las Vegas basketball games and do the nightly sportscast. He also hosted a kids TV show called ‘Hey Kids’. Two of John's five daughters live in Las Vegas today.

In 1981 John received a call to take over the morning show on WFVA in Fredericksburg, Va, which he named 'Parker's Place', where he remained until his retirement 23 years later.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Willa Freshwaters, his sister Jean, his brother Jim, stepson Anthony Rabe, and nephew Jamie Freshwaters

Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Patti) Lee Freshwaters of Fredericksburg, Va. and five daughters: Terri, Jackie, Nancy, Debra and Diane, as well as six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

John requested his body be cremated and his ashes mixed with those of his beloved dogs, Gracie and Beauregard. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers John requests you keep his beloved spouse Patti in your prayers.

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