Lance Cpl. Ronald Douglas “Doug” Freeman, 25, died on April 28, 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the day of his daughter, Katelyn first birthday and 10 days after his son, William Douglas was born.
Lance Cpl. Freeman funeral service is 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, 12735 Knights Griffin Road, Thonotosassa, FL with Pastor Jim Brady, to officiate. Full military honors by the United States Marine Corps and presentation of Medal will be 2:30 PM, Thursday afternoon, May 5, 2011 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday evening, May 4, 2011 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
A longtime Plant City area resident, Doug was a graduate of Plant City High School, a member of East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, a loving husband, father and a proud member of the United States Marine Corps.
Predeceased in death by his mother, Terra, and both grandfathers, Doug is survived by his wife, Katie Freeman of Lake City, FL; a daughter, Katelyn of Lake City, FL; a son, William Douglas of Lake City, FL; father, Brian Freeman of Tampa, FL; father and mother-in-law, MSgt William Clement, USMC Ret. and Katherine of Lake City, FL; brother, Aaron Freeman; sisters; Melissa Freeman and Jessica Freeman, all of Plant City, FL; his grandmothers: Yvonne Freeman of Temple Terrace, FL and Betty Zachman of Shelbyville, TN and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donations be made to a trust fund for the children’s education. Checks are appreciated and to be made payable to: T.D. Ameritrade, c/o Gulf Coast Financial Services. Mailing address: 248 N. Marion Ave, Lake City, FL 32055.
Please sign the family guestbook below.
Our family is deeply grieved for his young family. Kim and I are praying that God will provide ’the peace that passes all understanding’ that our Bible promises.
Dean, Katherine & Katie:
My heart goes out to you and the little ones. You’re in my prayers. God bless you and God bless Doug – a true American Hero.
Dick
Alto, MI
Words can’t describe what you are going through right now. Just now God will give you the peace and grace to get through this time. Your Marine is watching you from above and you will see him again one day. My son is also serving as a Marine and is in the Helmand Province as well. I know how proud of him I am and how proud you are of your Marine. Semper Fi – your family will be in our prayers. Sincerly, The Fuller Family
God Bless you and your family. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
May God hold you in his arms during this time…he is where you will get your strength to get through this.
May God grant you peace and hope for the future. My prayers are said daily for all the family I know this is very hard for all of you.
An American Hero doesn’t come as close as it should in describing a young man who had a belief and lived his life based on his belief. God, Family, Country, Honor and so much more. My prayers will be answered as God Wraps his Love around Doug and heals the hearts of Katie and their two beautiful children.
To the Family of Lance Corpal Freeman! Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice. My heart goes out to all of you. My brother recently returned from his 3rd tour in Afghanastan and your sacrifice brings home the fact that freedom isn’t free and on behalf of a grateful family, I thank you from the botton of my heart. God bless and keep all of you!!!
Katie,
My heart goes out to you and your babies. I can’t imagine what you are going through, but know that you are in my thoughts & prayers. You have so many friends here in Gainesville that feel the same. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Please accept our sincere and deepest sympathy. There is no greater loss than that of a child – no matter his age or circumstances. Nothing will ever replace the loss of your Doug, but may you find comfort in seeing his smile in the faces of his children. We pray for you to find comfort in knowing that there are many hearts sharing in your loss this day. God be with you, The Koning Family, NPR, FL
My thoughts and prayers are with the Freeman & Clement families. Another hero paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom and I am deeply grateful. May His peace comfort you during this time. May He be the anchor to hold and strengthen you today and always.
Lake City, FL
I offer my deepest sympathy to the family of this young Marine who has made the ultimate sacrifice. My prayers will be with the family.
My thoughts and prayers to the family. It’s tough to loose one of my fellow Marine brothers even though we never met. SEMPER FI.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this painful time… We are so proud and you will never know how much his sacrifice for our country means to us all. God Bless you, your family, and Doug…
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this painful time… We are so proud and you will never know how much his sacrifice for our country means to us all. God Bless you, your family, and Doug…
Our hearts are heavy for this young family. May God bless you and help you through. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
I have been a fiend of dougs for awhile. We have gotten to the fleet together and have been in the same platoon before, but got split up when we were directed to different company’s. I have always enjoyed his time whenever i went to his house for cookouts and small get togethers. Him and his wife Katie would always welcome us into their home. I havent had the pleasure to see him before we left for afghanistan. I feel sorry i didnt get to talk to him one last time before i heard the news of his passing after i myself got back from a mission. It breaks my heart for the fact of the 2 beautiful kids they have together. I hope all goes well with Katie and that she lives her and the kids life to the fullest, Thats what doug would of wanted. Never a dull moment with him. I have everyone in his family in my prayers and I hope the best for all of you.
Katie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your babies. Hold your memories close to your heart. I prayed to my Mom to watch over Doug until we are all together again. God bless you and your family. I will add Doug to my wall of heros. Lynda
Katie, Our hearts go out to you and we just don’t know what to say. We are so very grateful for Doug serving his country and the great sacrifice that not only he gave but your family as well. You will be in our prayers. Semper Fi
KC,
Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you, the children, your parents and all the lives you and Doug have touched as a family. There will never be words to express my sympathy or how proud I am of the two of you. God will continue to bless you, the children and Doug as he looks down on all of you from heaven. Doug served his country with honor and pride and his family with kindness and love. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with you both. Love to you all. Cathy
May you take comfort in
knowing an angel is watching over you. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead
Dougie you are dearly miss! i love you no matter what.You are still with me. in my hearts!! You are the best cousin that anyone could ever have! And i am proud to call myself your cousin and a proud one at that.You can still watch over your little girl and ur strong man in heavan! I miss you so much! my heart is torn to peices! you was like my brother my only brother! I love and miss u!Ps. you will always be my road apple!! And i will always remember all the fights and name calling we use to have. oh and jessica told me something i never knew before, when ever we fight you use to let me win!! I will miss that!! and most imporantly i will miss u the most my littl road apple!! love u soo much dougie! Ill see you later on Lcp freeman!! love u dougie. (wish i could of seen you one last time and gave you a big bear hug)RIP!LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH DOUGIE!!!
Dougie you are dearly miss! i love you no matter what.You are still with me. in my hearts!! You are the best cousin that anyone could ever have! And i am proud to call myself your cousin and a proud one at that.You can still watch over your little girl and ur strong man in heavan! I miss you so much! my heart is torn to peices! you was like my brother my only brother! I love and miss u!Ps. you will always be my road apple!! And i will always remember all the fights and name calling we use to have. oh and jessica told me something i never knew before, when ever we fight you use to let me win!! I will miss that!! and most imporantly i will miss u the most my littl road apple!! love u soo much dougie! Ill see you later on Lcp freeman!! love u dougie. (wish i could of seen you one last time and gave you a big bear hug)RIP!LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH DOUGIE!!!
Dougie you are dearly miss! i love you no matter what.You are still with me. in my hearts!! You are the best cousin that anyone could ever have! And i am proud to call myself your cousin and a proud one at that.You can still watch over your little girl and ur strong man in heavan! I miss you so much! my heart is torn to peices! you was like my brother my only brother! I love and miss u!Ps. you will always be my road apple!! And i will always remember all the fights and name calling we use to have. oh and jessica told me something i never knew before, when ever we fight you use to let me win!! I will miss that!! and most imporantly i will miss u the most my littl road apple!! love u soo much dougie! Ill see you later on Lcp freeman!! love u dougie. (wish i could of seen you one last time and gave you a big bear hug)RIP!LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH DOUGIE!!!
Although things are hard, they do get a little bit easier as time goes on, but never entirely. Dougie, you are missed, and thoughts of you are cherished. your memory will never die. (I am one of jessica’s best friends from back in the day and recently ran into her. I was completely torn when she told me the news. I remember how we would joke back in the day with dougie and how he’d get annoyed. although never had the honor of meeting him, he is loved and honored by many.)
god bless your family..
dougie u r missed u r one of the best friends and cusins ever ps say hi to grandpa and taren for me love u
Dougie i miss you so much! I miss you so much that when ever someone brings up your name i get so mad! Its really hard to deal with it!! I love you, you are the greatest father, brother,cousin, best friend!! You are a great person! It is going to be really hard on your birthday and the day u died! i wish you was hear! When i turn 18 im still getting that hot tub promised!! :) I LOVE YOU DOUGIE! say hi to aunt terra and uncle ronnie and grandpa for me and give them a big hug for me! LOVE YOU GUYS!! I love you dougie i can never sya it enough!! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!
Thank you LPL Freeman for all you have done and given for our beloved country. I pray that our good Lord will open the gates of heaven for you to enter. You certainly deserve to spend eternity in heaven.
Most sincerely,
C. LaBianca
Today I participated in a MURF competition in Ronald‘s name. I salute.