Lowell T. Freeman, 89, passed away on January 6, 2023, at Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, Florida, following a three year battle with cancer. On December 2, 1933, he was born in Huntington, West Virginia, to William Dayne Freeman and Addie Hunter. He married Anita Gonzalez on August 6, 1960, at Palma Ceia Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, and together they shared 62 years of marriage and a wonderful family.
Survivors include his wife Anita, son Kirk (Sandy), daughter Stephanie of Tampa, Florida, son Todd (Nancy) of Seminole, Florida, grandsons Ryan (Alexandra) of San Antonio, Texas and Reid (Isabel) of Clearwater, Florida, sister Donna Reed of Andover, Ohio, nephew Greg (Kieow) of Sun City, Arizona, sister-in-law Gwen of Spring, Texas, cousin Tom, New Market, Alabama, brothers-in-law David Gonzalez, Tom Gonzalez (Sharon) of Tampa, Florida and sister-in-law Toni Hayes and niece January (Nick) Coventry of Tucson, Arizona, nephews Nick (Sarah) Gonzalez of Tucson, Arizona, Tony Gonzalez of New York City, New York and nieces Morgan Gonzalez and Lauren Burgess (Cody) and a loyal family friend, Joseph M. Brown, all of Tampa, Florida. Lowell was preceded in death by brothers Bill, Bernard and Lyle Freeman.
After graduating from Milton High School, Lowell attended Morehead State University on a football scholarship. After two years he felt called to duty. He spent his time in the Army in Frankfurt, Germany, served as a military policeman, and had the privilege of playing football while in the service for the 4th Division Special Troops “Green Wave”. When his military duty was over, he came to Tampa to finish his college degree at the University of Tampa, earned a scholarship with The Spartans and was named an All-American in football in 1959. He was inducted into the UT Hall of Fame in 1966. Lowell began as an English teacher and football coach and became a very successful small business owner in the packaging industry (Lowell T. Freeman and Associates, Inc.)
After graduating from the University of Tampa, he made Tampa his home. He loved fishing, especially for snook, and reading about American history and World War II. He was a member of Bayshore. Baptist Church in Tampa. We rejoice as a family knowing he is at home with the Lord.
A military graveside service is scheduled for 2:30 PM, Thursday, January 26, 2013 at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida with the Marion County Military Honor Guard and the United States Army Ceremonial and Honors Team Fort Stewart, Georgian.
REMEMBERING OUR FATHER
Kirk – First Son
Dad was an amazing man. A loving and kind husband. Supportive father. Very wise and principled who taught me many life lessons. He loved sports (playing and watching; as well as armchair coaching); music (big band and country); good books (classics and history), telling comical stories about his beloved West Virginia, and lastly a passion for snook fishing in Tampa Bay (breakfast with snook was staple at our house).
Dad was many things: a country boy, athlete, soldier, husband, father, businessman, American historian, outdoor sportsman, a man of God and My Hero. Thank you for so many blessings and the privilege of calling you “Dad”.
Stephanie – Daughter
A few words of wisdom I recall Dad saying,
“Compare yourself with yourself.”
“If you look, you will find some good in everyone.”
“Make a friend out of ‘em.”
And upon learning of his diagnosis he said to me, “Remember, the Lord loves you, and I love you. We still have growing up to do, Stephie.” “God’s will be done.” “That’s part of life.”
His answer to how you doin’ today, Dad? “Just about right.”
Todd – Second Son
When I was six and seven years old, my Dad was my little league baseball coach, and for the next 45 years he was my life coach. He taught me to love and serve the Lord. He was a big believer in self reliance, perseverance, and overcoming adversity, and he was a strong proponent of hard work, dedication, and paying your dues.
Though I am saddened that Mr. Freeman has passed I am so comforted that I know it is an absolute guarantee that he has gone home to the Lord. What phenomenal example of a father, husband and a friend. My parents, Bill and Beth Shields, always loved Lowell and Anita Freeman. Dad always said Mr. Freeman was a great football player. Tough kid from West Virginia. They loved me spending time with my good friend Kirk because they knew I was under the watch of these (2) wonderful people. What a wonderful home they created that was so warm and loving yet disciplined! My parents knew I was safe and going to be influenced by the same morals and ethics that they were trying teach at home. Some of my most favorite times in my life were shared with Kirk at his home with his family, eating Mrs. Freeman’s nanner sandwiches! I am sad to say most of todays children don’t have the opportunity to go play after school at such a wonderful home. I love Ms. Freeman too. 💕
I closing, Mr. Freeman was tough, firm but showed us so much love. His smile would let us know we did good and he was proud of us. Whether it was we mowed the yard right or won the football game on Friday night he made me melt with that grin. 😂 He was so successful yet so humble. Great example.
Yes, a great man has gone home. The angels are ringing the bell.
Mrs Freeman, Sweet “Flower Market” Stephanie,Kirk,Todd,and large extended family across the USA,and my first cousin Joseph M. Brown- Please accept my deepest condolences and know that Mr Freeman impacted many even those that didn’t personally know him- but what was shared with me about him over the past three plus decades. What a fine extraordinary man who touched the lives of so many including being a mentor & father figure to Joseph who so loved, admired & learned so many valuable life tools from him. I thank the family as well for this. I hope that each of you are comforted by knowing he is in eternal rest with Our Lord & guarding the golden gates of heaven. May our Most Holy Mother Mary wrap him in Her mantle of love, and the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace & perpetual light shine upon them forever. With love & prayers- Carroll Anne, Tampa Florida
I will always remember Lowell and Anita Freeman… Kirks Parents and how is mother was so beautiful and father was so strong and so tuff to kirk and me and how I looked to them as my suragent parents.what a wonderful family…To you Kirk,Stephanie and Todd God Bless!
My Condolences,Bobby DeCosta