Charlie Crawford Freeman

Charlie Crawford Freeman age 66 of Box Elder, South Dakota formerly of Gainesville passed away Tuesday Feb. 3, 2009 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Charlie was born Dec. 6, 1942 in Cleveland, GA to Hubert and Dorothy Freeman. He joined the United States Air Force on June 2, 1961 and served his country in Vietnam in 1966-1967.
He was married to Shirley Gibson on April 7, 1968. In 1976, Charlie was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base and had made Box Elder his home. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Air Force in 1987 and from Civil Service April 1, 2008.

Charlie served the community as Little League President and spent time coaching baseball. He was an avid bowler. He loved bowling, fishing, planting trees, being with his family and especially his grandkids. Charlie was always
willing to help others and never asking for anything in return. On July 19, 2004, Charlie received a kidney transplant that helped him enjoy a few more years. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to
Rapid City Regional Dialysis Team and the Kidney Transplant Team from Denver, Colorado.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Gibson Freeman of Box Elder, son, Darren (Jenn) Freeman of Long Beach, CA, daughters, Anita (Luke) Kochutin and Tammy Fogle of Box
Elder, sisters, Louise (Raymond) Garrison of Oakwood, Elizabeth (Paul) Winkles of Gainesville, Annie Mae(Jewell) Nix of Maysville, Grandchildren, Nick and Jacob Kochutin of Box Elder, Cayla, Samie, Zak Fogle of Box Elder, Patrick Freeman of Long Beach, CA, Paul Kochtin and Courtney Kochtin
of Rapid City, SD and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clarence Freeman. Charlie was buried at the Blacks Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD with full military honors.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday March 28, 2009 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Earl Pirkle officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to Central Baptist Church 785 Main Street Gainesville, GA 30501

On line condolences may be made to
masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com

Mason & Ward Funeral Home, 1190 McEver Road, Gainesville, GA 30504