John William Fristoe, III

John William Fristoe lII, 72, of Athens, GA, has gone home to be with the Lord. He was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. John William Fristoe, Jr. , and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John William Fristoe, Sr. and Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Conner, Sr.

John was a graduate of Briarcliff High School, and attended DeKalb Junior College.

John was a devoted father of two daughters, as well as an integral part of the Atlanta and Athens music scenes throughout his life. When he was 20, John spent time with Jimi Hendrix. After hearing John play his guitar, Jimi told him that the world needed him to "keep playing" his music. Jimi's encouragement and instruction was pivotal in John's decision to commit to a musical career. He was an accomplished musician, guitarist, and song writer who worked with Duane Allman, Joe South, Ray Whitley, The Sweet Younguns, Starbuck, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section, among many others.

John was a survivor of the bombing at Centennial Park. He broke his neck, recovered, and perservered despite his injuries. He went on to become the sound director at the Athens Classic Center for a number of years. He was a founding member and longtime president of IATSE Local 824, Athen’s local stagehand union, founded in August, 2001. His legacy in the foundation of Local 824 will endure for generations. His work ensured the livelihoods of many people, and he effected positive and lasting change in the world through his endeavors. John was also the co-founder of Center Stage theater in Atlanta. He had his own private recording studio where he created many of his own albums as well as mentoring interns from the University of Georgia.

Besides being a musician and single father, he was an ordained Christian minister who lived to love and serve his creator throughout his life. John was quick-witted with a wicked sense of humor. He loved people genuinely and wholeheartedly, as well as animals. He also had a passion for cars, tattoos, gardening, and trout fishing. He took in many strays over the years (both animals and people), and he touched countless hearts and lives in many ways, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he came in contact with.

John is survived by his adoring daughters, Hannah Robins (and her husband, Bill) of Boston, MA, and Rachel Yo (and her husband, InChurl) of Seattle WA., three grandchildren, Jefferson Pinkus, and Onyxx and Noah Yo.  John is also survived by two sisters, Kathy Tronco and Beth Kibler, and a brother, Conner Fristoe; one niece and five nephews, two great nieces and four great nephews, several cousins and many great friends.

A private family burial service will be held at Westview Cemetery, in Atlanta.  A memorial celebration will be held on October 29, 2022, John’s 73rd birthday, from 6:00- 10:00 pm at the Classic Center in Athens, at 300 N. Thomas St., Athens, GA 30601.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to Nuci's Space in Athens, and to the Humane Society.