John Henry Freeman

July 10, 1922-June 2, 2002

HERMISTON John Henry Freeman Jr. died June 2, at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston at the age of 79.

He was born on July 10, 1922, in Neal, Kan., to John H. Sr. and Mary Ethel Nelson Freeman. He moved to Oregon in 1942 where he worked in the Portland shipyards for a few months before joining the United States Army and serving two and a half years. He served in Germany and Italy during that tour, installing radar equipment during World War II.

John moved to Hermiston in 1945 where he worked at L.A. Moore Furniture Store on Main Street. He met Emma Bell Moyer in 1946 and on Oct. 27, 1946, they were married. They lived in Hermiston until 1951 when John joined the United States Air Force and within a few months he received orders for Korea.

During his 21 and a half years of military service, he was stationed in England, Germany, Taiwan and various bases in the United States. While stationed in Korea in 1952 and in Taiwan in 1969, John and his team of electronics technicians set up the sound system for the Boby Hope USO Christmas Program.

He lived in Fallon, Nev., from 1965 to 1977 where he was active and had helped to establish the Churchill County Search and Rescue, where he was a certified first aid instructor. He was also a member of the CB Club.

John returned to Hermiston in 1977 and worked as a time keeper at the Boardman Coal Fire Plant and as a guard at the Umatilla Army Depot.

He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge, Hermiston No. 2909. He had served as the president of the Fallon, Nev., Aerie. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, fishing, reloading, woodworking and had a passion for electronics.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Emma Freeman of Hermiston; daughters, Jennie Friesthler of Fallon, Nev., Terri Carr of Fresno, Calif., Jodi Emanuel of Pendleton and Traci Stephenson of Valenica; sisters, Myrtle Robb, Audrey Lambrecht and Mildred Alred, all of Portland; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scott Freeman in 1997; two brothers and one sister.

A graveside service was held Saturday, June 8, at the Hermiston Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston at P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, 97838.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston was in charge of the arrrangements.