John Friel, "TooManyFords", has passed away

[aaronfriel]

Hi all, I know many of you might have known my father John for his "Prorauder". Earlier today he left us all.

If you have memories of him, forum posts you loved, and more, please share those.

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All are welcome to attend his service and celebration of life or offer condolences at frieltek.com (https://frieltek.com/).

[MM03MOK]

Aaron, I am at a complete loss for words! Devastating news to us all. I’m sure you’re still trying to comprehend John’s passing! We were friends on Facebook and he posted there often - about cars and cats! On behalf of this Marauder Community, I extend our deepest sympathies to you. He will be truly missed. Please take care of yourself.

[jgc61sr2002]

My deepest condolences. May he RIP.

[crouse]

I am deeply saddened by this. My most sincere condolences to you and your family.

John was a great guy. He was always willing to help and share his vast knowledge of cars. He will truly be missed by everyone in the car community.

John came to several car shows here in Minnesota including the big car show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. I loved hanging out with him.

Here is a link to some pics I pulled together over the years.

https://crouse.smugmug.com/John-Friel/n-TMDfCN

Curt

[fastblackmerc]

Holy COW! Sad to hear about John. My he rest in peace.

Condolences to you and his loved ones.

Very sad today.

[Mr. Man]

Have to admit I wasn't prepared for this thread. We last saw John at Carlisle a couple of years ago. He was a great guy to shoot the fat with. He will be missed. Ms.D and I send our deepest sympathies to you and your family.

[gpfarrell]

53176

I still the T-shirt and I still have the mug. In 21 years of Marauder ownership one of my all-time highlights was merely parking my blue Trilogy next to his car at the Dream Cruise in 2007.

Godspeed, and my sympathies for losing a really great friend of our hobby.

[Pantera]

My deepest condolences. God bless his soul.

[Blackmobile]

My condolences to the family. May he Race In Piece:

supercharged Marauder Prorauder Vs EVO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmirnehKwGA)

[crouse]

The picture in my link from inside the car was taken by me at the Car Craft show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in July of 2010. The look on the couples face says it all. :)

[offroadkarter]

I must say this comes as a complete shock and I'm very sorry for your loss.

I remember first meeting John at Carlisle 2018, but we hung out a lot more at Drag week 19. He also drove from Iowa to my place in PA twice, once to buy a set of Marauder bumpers for Prorauder, and a few weeks later he came back and bought my black Marauder. Hell I just mailed him a spare wheel lock key for it sometime late last year that I found in the basement.

RIP John

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/HotRod-Drag-Week-2019/i-ZXxSQPB/0/NdhpFcTP8WND4CsdG7Nw86WQPKpXGn sR4cXPTxGK5/X3/20190909_190906-X3.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars-I-No-Longer-Own/2003-Mercury-Marauder/Sold-91420/i-pMXrtCz/0/MzH5rvxdk5jQMcKhVZrZB7XDr9fc5B XKdJ3wGn9hq/X3/20200914_095744-X3.jpg

[PRCARGUY]

My condolences to his family. We met at Carlisle some years ago. Great guy. He will miss.

[kirk]

Wow! I'm so sorry for your loss. I gave John a ride in my 1963 Marauder S-55 in South Haven in 2012. Just wow

[Joe Walsh]

Jeez!
John is gone.
So sad to hear this.
Somewhere I have pictures of our Marauders parked next to each other 'up on the hill' at Carlisle.
John's ProRauder, with the blower sticking through the hood, garnered far more attention.

[guspech750]

RIP John. It was a pleasure meeting you a number of times. Truly one of the good ones gone too soon.

[crouse]

Here is John's Obituary.

John P. Friel III
Obituary
John Patrick Friel III, 64, of Waterloo, died on Monday, December 30, 2024.

He was born on January 21, 1960, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of John “Jack” Friel Jr. and Marion (Denner) Frohn. A 1978 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, John briefly attended the University of Northern Iowa before leaving to launch his programming career at John Deere. On June 22, 1985, he was united in marriage to Kathy Rhinehart at the United Methodist Church in Victor, Iowa; they later divorced.

A lifelong innovator, in 1984 John authored and freely distributed QModem, a telecommunications program that helped thousands of users access bulletin board systems and, ultimately, the burgeoning internet. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he also established the Cedar Valley’s first internet service provider, the Forbin Project, bringing affordable dial-up internet access to his hometown. John sold his company to VGM at the turn of the century, staying on to grow the business, leaving and then returning prior to retiring in July of 2024. In retirement, he continued as the sole proprietor of Frieltek Consulting, continuing to share his expertise and passion for computers and supporting friends and clients in Northeast Iowa.

Beyond his technological achievements, John was known as a gearhead, always working on his cars—especially his beloved Mercury Marauders. He raced his blue “Prorauder” at the Cedar Falls Motorsports Park and John received accolades at car shows and drag racing events across the country.

John filled every space he entered with his jolly, friendly manner and a distinctive laugh that drew people to him. He was a father to one and a friend to all, generous with his time and always willing to offer support, advice, or simply a hearty chuckle.

John cherished his time at home with his three cats—Thurston, Mr. Fluffy, and Trouble—who will deeply miss his gentle care and attention. He is survived by his son, Aaron (Rebecca Fay) Friel of Oakland, California; his mother, Marion Frohn of Cedar Falls; his sister, Ann Fremont of Des Moines; and his brother, Don Friel of Cedar Falls. He was preceded in death by his father; his brother-in-law, Darrell Fremont; and his stepfather, Robert Frohn.

Inurnment and a Celebration of Life will be held at noon on May 3rd, 2025, at Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls with a reception following at the Cedar Falls Women’s Club. John’s memory lives on through the technology he pioneered, the local internet community he fostered, the rumble of the cars he loved, and the countless friendships he formed along the way.

[Ms. Denmark]

Aaron, I am so sorry for your loss. Thanks to Crouse for posting the obit. John was one of the superstars of our Marauder club. His Prorauder was legendary among our group, and far beyond. We were always so glad to see him when he traveled East to club events like Marauderville and Carlisle. In addition to Marauders, and John's bigger than life personality, I immediately took to him for the mere fact of being a fellow Iowan. I moved away in the 4th grade but have spent a lot of time in the Cedar Falls area over the years. My parents graduated from UNI (formerly Iowa State Teachers College) and were married in Cedar Falls. They were buried last June, just a short distance away, in their hometown of Traer. Mr. Man and I will make a point of paying our respects at John's resting place, when we make our next trip to Iowa. RIP John and our sympathy to all those friends and especially family who miss you.
Paula

[aaronfriel]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. All are welcome to offer condolences and let us know if you'll attend his funeral at at frieltek.com (https://frieltek.com/).

[FordNut]

Devastating news. John will be severely missed, his innovation, spirit, enthusiasm and sense of humor made him one of a kind. My condolences for your loss, as well as our loss in the Marauder world. RIP John