Longtime Grower of Carlsbad's Flower Fields Dies

John Frazee, president of the flower company known for planting Carlsbad’s hillsides in a rainbow of beautiful colors, has died. He was the third generation of Frazees born in Oceanside, California. His great grandfather was Oceanside’s first City Clerk, Doniphan Frazee, and his father was famed ranunculus hybridizer Edwin Frazee. John often said that all he ever wanted to do was be a flower grower, and that he would have done it for free, but was so grateful that he was able to make a living doing what he loved.

Growing up with the opportunity to drive tractors at five-years-old, he enjoyed working with his grandfather and uncles, his friends from Oceanside High School, and his wife, Dianne, who worked alongside him as company bookkeeper.

To John, nearly everyone who worked for him or worked for the businesses he delt with, were his friends. He was the ideal Rotarian joining the club in 1967. He supported the Armed Services YMCA, the Girls Scouts, Brother Beno, Heritage Park, the fight to end polio, and even Cal Poly’s annual Rose Parade Float. He had over 20 years of perfect attendance, and he truly enjoyed going on far away vacations, just so he could make up for an absence in some small-town chapter.

In 1975, he happened into collecting and restoring Model A Fords, which wed his love for driving and travel, with his love of working besides friends and family on their projects. He joined the Palomar Model A Ford Club and ended up driving some 250,000 miles in this classic car. He encouraged many family and friends to buy cars of their own, then helped them restore and kept them in tune for over 40 years. In 2005, he was the President of the Model A Ford Club of America.

John was predeceased by his sister, DorisLee, and is survived by brothers Jim and Harley, as well as his wife, Dianne, children Lisa and David, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.