Thomas Edward Freeman

Tom Freeman went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 1, 2022. Left to cherish his memory forever is his one true love, Patsy Davis Freeman, whom he married on January 1, 1970. They spent almost 53 wonderful years together. Tom was a man of passion who embraced life wholeheartedly. He always worked with a sense of purpose; never a day went by that he didn't have a job to complete or a goal to accomplish. He was known for his quick wit, engaging personality, and sense of fairness to all. He was born in the Houston Heights on January 13, 1936 to Dovie Sammons Freeman and Charles Hamilton Freeman. At the age of nine, he had a paper route. After that, he worked at the local drugstore, making deliveries on his bicycle. And from then on, he never stopped. At fourteen, he was driving the family laundry truck. When he came to Sam Houston, he worked as a "soda jerk" at the Campus Drug to support himself. Tom graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1954. For his junior and senior year, he was drum major of their military marching band. He was also active in the DeMolay, achieving the highest state-elected position, that of Master Counselor. While a freshman at Sam Houston State Teachers College (now Sam Houston State University), he traveled a tri-state area addressing local DeMolay chapters and installing officers as part of the Master Counselor's responsibilities. In 1958, Tom graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College with a degree in Business. While in college, he immersed himself in campus life, promoting the school he loved. He was a proud member of the Cabellero Fraternity, which later became Sigma Chi. During his senior year at Sam Houston, he was chosen by the military to become the Cadet Colonel of the ROTC. At that time, there were more than 1,000 men in the ROTC program. Because of this leadership position, he received a West Point commission to enter the U.S. Army. He served three years in the military including 13 months in Korea. His military service was a source of pride for him throughout his life. He considered it a privilege and an honor to serve our great country. Returning to Houston in 1961, he sold machinery in the laundry industry until he bought College Cleaners in 1964. Ten years later, the cleaners moved to 11th Street in Huntsville and became Town and County Cleaners. In 1976, this plant was named the outstanding cleaners in America competing against much larger dry-cleaning plants. He served as president of the Texas Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Association and was a state board member for many years. In later years, he became a spokesperson for the industry and traveled the world giving motivational speeches. He then formed Freeman Consultants and provided cleaners nationwide with plant layout, design and financial issues. Tom owned residential and commercial real estate. He also bought Scotsman Storage in Huntsville and more than doubled the size of this facility by the time he sold it. During his productive years, he proudly served on the Board of Directors of the American Bank and First National Bank until his retirement. Community involvement for Tom was important. He was president of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and was the second recipient of the Ed Sandhop Award for service to the community. In 2007, Sam Houston State University bestowed on Tom their coveted Service Award. Then in 2017, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award for achievement in the community and business world. Because of his commitment to the youth of Walker County, he was a strong supporter of the County Fair and the annual livestock auction. He served as Chairman of the Walker County Republicans for a time and invested his time and resources in local, state, and national politics. He was a Mason and a Shriner, initiating fundraising drives in Huntsville for the children's hospitals. Tom loved spending time in his second home in Crested Butte, Colorado before altitude issues prevented him going there. Then, his beloved motorhome became his passion. He and his wife, Patsy, traveled extensively in our great nation, but always included going to Colorado in the summer to escape the Texas heat which was a must. His family includes his five precious grandchildren. "Daddy Tom" was always there for them to buy their first horse or their first car. Tom's heart belonged to the Lord he loved. He was a Deacon at First Baptist Church and served as Chairman of that group on several occasions. He also served as Chairman of the Personnel Committee for several years and Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee at a time when First Baptist was without a pastor. Greeting him at the gates of heaven will be his youngest son, Butch, who died in 2006. He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Davis Freeman. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, John Phelps, and wife Kate, of Hilton Head, South Carolina; sister -in-law, Janet and husband David Stautz of Dallas, TX; brother-in-law, Dr. Phil Davis and wife Renee of Temple, TX; son, Bryan Freeman, of Huntsville, TX; son, Ernest Freeman, and wife, Kim, of Houston, TX; daughter-in-law, Sherry Freeman, of Birmingham, Alabama; and daughter, Sherri Boyd, of Houston, TX. Grandchildren are Madeline Freeman, Matthew Freeman, Hannah Freeman, Gracie Freeman and Nicholas Freeman. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was fortunate to have two special friends and caregivers, Kevin Robinson and Lare Lewis. We also thank Alicia Agu and Amber McGown for their care. Memorial contributions can be made to either the Tom and Patsy Freeman Scholarship Fund at Sam Houston State University, to First Baptist Church Huntsville (Missions Fund) or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Tom, I was truly the "wind beneath your wings." Visitation will be Wednesday December 7, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX. Funeral services will be Thursday December 8, 2022 at First Baptist Church Huntsville at 11:00am and graveside services will be at 2:30pm at Red Top Cemetery in Shiro, Texas. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Thomas Edward Freeman

January 13, 1936 - December 1, 2022