Col. (Ret) George L. Freeman died on Nov. 6, 2008, in Lexington, Kentucky.
    He was born on Nov. 25, 1920, in Hawkins County to Thomas J. and Effie Freeman.
    He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Lorene Davis of Mt. Morris, Illinois, and one son, George L. Freeman Jr.     
    He is survived by four children, Terrence (Beverly) Freeman of Lexington, Kentucky, Carolyn (Michael) Riley of Mt. Juliet, Steve J. (Patti) Freeman of Hermitage and Bruce E. (Debbie) Freeman of Clatskanie, Oregon., and daughter-in-law Beth Freeman of Milton. He was also blessed with 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and foster grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by four sisters-in-law: Mildred Smith and Delores Davis of Mt. Morris, Illinois, and Ruth Freeman and Flo Freeman of Rogersville.
    Col. Freeman was a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate and also received a master's degree from the University of Richmond in Virginia. Following his graduation from Lincoln Memorial and prior to his entering the military during WW II, he was both a schoolteacher and a principal in Hawkins County.
    Col. Freeman spent 28 years in the United States Army and retired as a full colonel. He served in both Europe during WW II and with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966. Military decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (with three Campaign Stars), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with first Oak Leaf Cluster), three overseas service bars, the National Defense Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Parachutist Badge, the WW II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with three Campaign Stars).
    After retirement from the Army, Col. Freeman became the director of housing for the University of Tennessee at Martin. In 1991, the university honored him with the Distinguished Service Award. In Martin he was active in a number of civic organizations and was president of the Martin Rotarian Club for one year. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Martin, where he also served as a deacon. In recent years he has belonged to Grace Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky.  A memorial service was held at Church of the Brethren, Mt. Morris, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, Grace Baptist Scholarship Fund or the First Baptist Church of Martin.
    www.milwardfuneral.com