John "Fred" Johnson November 7, 1963 – August 5, 2026

John Fred Johnson — known to everyone as Fred — passed away at 62 years old on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in Naselle, Washington. He was born on November 7, 1963, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Fred was a farmer, chef, restaurateur, and woodworker whose hands and heart were always at work. He was the founder of Fred's Homegrown Produce, a farm-to-table operation in Naselle where he grew food the way he believed it should be grown, and Johnson Hardwood Flooring, where he brought the same craftsmanship to woodworking. Earlier in his life, Fred made his mark in the restaurant world, working as a chef and bartender at establishments in Atlanta, Georgia, including The Yacht Club, before opening his own restaurant, The Home Grown, on Vashon Island.

Fred was, above all, a hard worker who believed deeply in the power of good food, shared honestly and grown with care. He was passionate about the future of farming and spent much of his energy thinking about how to support and mentor the next generation of farmers. He was a lifelong reader who loved a good book almost as much as he loved a good conversation about the state of the world. And there was nowhere he'd rather have that conversation than at his own large kitchen table, where he hosted friends, neighbors, and strangers-turned-friends over countless delicious meals. To know Fred was to eventually find yourself seated at that table.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Sophia Savino; his beloved pet, Freya; his aunt, Ann Gardner-Arfstrom; and his cousins, Sissy and Bob. He was preceded in death by his mother, his father, and his sister, Amy.

A celebration of life will be held in the coming months; details will be shared when they are available. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Fred's name to the National Young Farmers Coalition (youngfarmers.org), an organization that reflects the very future he hoped to help build.

Until then, in his memory, share a meal, or a story, with someone you love.