- Date Of Birth: July 28, 1930
- Date Of Death: July 4, 2022
- State: Florida
Howard Donald Freeman, 91, of Lake City, died peacefully on July 4, 2022 at Haven Hospice Gainesville. Don was born on July 28, 1930 in Genoa (Hamilton County Florida) to William (Bill) Freeman and Isabell Hogan Freeman. His only sibling, fourteen years younger Linda Carol Freeman Griffin, preceded Don in death in 1997. His oldest daughter Regina Freeman Miller (John) preceded him in 2009. His wife Frances Dodd Freeman, son Donald Timothy Freeman (Katherine), daughter Marisa Freeman Ashley, grandson Daniel Ashley (Mahpara), great-grandson Zackariah Ashley, nephews Scott Gay (Julie) and Richard Lindsey (Tressie), survive him, along with many additional nieces, nephews and cousins.
Don’s caring personality and love of God, nature and people, have left us all with sweet, beautiful memories. His life was one dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and caring for others. He began preaching in his teens.
Don was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving in the Korean War as an aerial intelligence photographer. After honorable discharge, he earned his private pilot’s license and took up flying on a limited basis. His favorite pastimes were traveling with family, photography, beekeeping, horticulture, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, and playing the piano.
Don retired as Office Manager for the Department of Transportation’s district office in Lake City. He and Frances, married for 63 years, lovingly raised their children in a Christian home. Don’s calm demeanor, kindness, quick sense of humor, leadership and perseverance through persistent pain, are an example to us all. Memories of him always will be framed in the hearts and minds of the many friends and family members who were blessed by knowing him.
