John Ben Fresquez, age 90, of Henderson, Nevada passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021. He was born in the family home on July 9, 1931 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to his parents Antonino Fresquez and Flora Maestas. John was raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico with five siblings. He had two older sisters: Josephine Duran and Isabel Falvey; two older brothers: Charlie and Alfredo Fresquez; and one younger sister, Dorothy Coroneos. As a young boy, he liked to bowl, and horseback riding. In his spare time, he liked to help his father build and fix houses. John graduated from high school in 1950, and enlisted in the U.S. Army.
On June 4, 1951, John married the love of his life, Fabiola Tapia, at a private civil wedding in Las Vegas, New Mexico. On November 10, 1956, the couple had a church wedding at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, in Henderson, Nevada. Little did he know at the time, that this would be the beginning of an adventure that would last over the next 70 years. The couple were blessed with seven children. As their family continued to grow; they were also blessed with fifteen grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
John loved his family and his country. John served honorably in the U.S. Army during Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a First Sergeant, after 29 years of service. Throughout his career he also spent some of his time in Germany. through his hard work, and in addition to achieved the second highest possible enlisted rank of E-8; John was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars, the Air Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star Medal 1 oak leaf cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, John worked for another 18 years with Wackenhut Security for the Nevada test site.
When John’s retirement finally arrived in 1979 from the U.S. Army and 2003 from Wackenhut, he was well prepared. Retirement gave John a better opportunity to helping his forever growing family, walking, fixing up cars, reading and spoiling his grandkids; and taking trips to the fiestas with his family.
John was preceded in death by his father, Antonino Fresquez; mother, Flora Maestas Fresquez; daughter, Virginia Weir; son, Paul Fresquez; sister, Josephine Duran; brothers: Charlie Fresquez and Alfredo Fresquez; and brother-in-law, Henry Falvey. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Fabiola Fresquez; children: John Fresquez Jr, Linda Colon (Jose), Annette Fuentes, Joyce Gunn, Peter Fresquez; daughter-in-law, Valentina Fresquez; sister-in-law, Maryann Fresquez; his sisters: Isabel Falvey and Dorothy Coroneos; grandchildren: Lawrence Weir (Laura), Neomi Weir, Nadia Rivera (Joshua), Jessica Alanano (Teddy), Jolina Gunn, Krystal Fresquez, Jody Ray Dulus, Carrie Glover, Monique Fresquez, Jamie Dulus, Cameron Bleuze, Sabrina Fresquez (Gino Lujan), Joseph Fuentes, Mark Bleuze, Marissa Fresquez, and his great granddaughter KD Keys; 31 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren
John was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa and great-great grandpa. All who knew him would agree that John was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground, had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. John Ben Fresquez did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.
A visitation for John will be held Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The Rosary will begin 6:00 PM both at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. A funeral mass will be Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 204 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. Military honors will be Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. John will be laid to rest privately at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Fresquez family.
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