Francis M Freeman

Francis "Frank" Marion Freeman, 85, devoted and beloved husband to Antonita "Tonie" Freeman, loving father to Patricia Brown and Kelly Freeman of Quincy, Florida and Debra Ennis of Newark, Delaware (Wayne); adored brother of Elnora Rich McBee (Stanley) of McAlester, Oklahoma and Robert Dean Freeman of Forest Grove, Oregon went gently to be with the Lord on March 23, 2012 after a short illness. He dearly loved his 5 grandchildren who will cherish his memory; Kimberly Brown McCurley of Coconut Creek, Florida (Dan), Shawn Ennis of Kokomo, Indiana (Jessica), Stacie Ennis Donaldson of Newark, Delaware, (Charles), Brent Ennis of Collingdale, Pennsylvania, (Shelly) and Lindsey Ennis Gaspar of Newark, Delaware (Anthony). He also now smiles down upon his 9 great-grandchildren; Luke, Nathan, Kevin, Ronin, Ranae, Robert James (RJ), Liam, Ariana, and Emmett. His passing will also be mourned by many loving nieces and nephews. Frank was also affectionately known as "Pappy" by his military family. A true patriot, he was in the Navy Seabees from its inception in 1944 to 1990; serving our country for 46 years retiring as a Senior Master Chief. A veteran of WWII and Vietnam, he served in a myriad of duty stations ranging from Idaho to Okinawa, Greece, Florida, Antarctica, Guam, Puerto Rico (and many more) while serving on the USS Bremerton, and in NMCB 146, NMCB 62, NMCB 40, and NMCB 4 accumulating along the way numerous awards, commendations, and medals. Only a small portion of his long devotion and service to the Navy and particularly his beloved Seabees can be listed here. Born to Hugh Lawson Freeman and Myra Belle Doty in Anderson, Missouri on September 15th, 1926, Frank was an avid outdoorsman, horseman, and remarkable marksman who loved camping, hunting and fishing. He also was a master of woodworking, creating many beautiful works of art. Frank was multi-talented and loved a challenge. If it could be done, he could do it. His smile was contagious, his generosity unparalleled and all that knew him respected his work ethic and integrity, loved his sense of humor and recognized the love he had for the Lord. Frank was a faithful member of Fairacres Baptist Church and found great joy in service with his church family. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He is joyfully reunited with his 10th great grandchild, Sara Eve Donaldson who predeceased him in 2010, a dearly loved son-in-law Robert "Charlie" Brown and 7 siblings; Dolly, Jane, Leon, Jake, Margie, Dale and Bette. A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, March 27th, at 10:00 AM at Fairacres Baptist Church, 5100 West Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM. Donations in Frank's memory may be made to the Baptist Children's Home or to the Wounded Warrior Project: (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) . Always in our hearts, we love you forever and miss you until we meet again. PDF Printable Version