James Elvis Freeman, Jr., 82, of Zion, IL, passed away peacefully at Hospice Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, WI, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
He was born on April 28, 1942, in Birmingham, AL to James and Hilda (Boger) Freeman. He was a graduate of Ensley High School in Birmingham, AL.
James was employed as a machinist by Outboard Marine Corporation until his retirement.
In his retirement, James enjoyed playing chess with Katie and his great-grandchildren, buying tools, tinkering in the garage, going for drives, airport observation, playing the lottery, watching Alabama football, collecting National Geographic magazines, and working on audio equipment for pipe organs.
He is survived by his children, Tina Freeman, and Timothy (Mitsu) Freeman; grandchildren, Matthew Freeman, Katelyn Smith, Stephanie (Zach) Sturino, Nathaniel (Mackenzie Curry) Smith, Breanna Smith, and Aaron Freeman; great-grandchildren, Selah, Ezekiel, Remy, Salinger, Olyah, and Whitaker; sister, Joan (Don) Crosset of Hoover, AL; sister-in-law, Lynette (Jim) Taylor of Zion, IL; brother-in-law, David (Pat) Orear of Beach Park, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hilda (Boger) Freeman; grandparents, Sidney and Zora Boger, and Charles and Maggie Freeman; aunt and uncle, Everett and Mattie (Freeman) Word; former wife, Dianne Orlando; and in-laws, Lionel and Donnia Orear.
A special thank you to our father’s caregiver, Katelyn Smith, and to the staff at Hospice Alliance Hospice House for their loving care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Proko Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until the time of service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Orphans of the Storm, would be appreciated by the family.
