George R. Freeman

George was born in Abilene, Texas on November 17, 1928 to Beatrice Louise Beasley Freeman, of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and Zeb Burke Freeman, of Thornton, Texas. He was the youngest of five children and graduated from Highland Park Senior High School in Dallas, Texas in 1946. He joined Delta Chi Fraternity at Southern Methodist University and graduated in 1950 with a BBA. Subsequently, George joined the United States Air Force and to further his career he attended Texas A&M where he received a Bachelor of Science as well as a Masters in Industrial Engineering in 1962 and 1964 respectively, joining the Alpha Pi Mu Honor Society in the process.

George’s Air Force career included assignments as a command pilot, missileman, and AFETR and SAC Range Safety Officer. He began his flight career as a T-29 and T-33 flight instructor in 1954 and checked out as a gunner and pilot for the F-84. After completing advanced flying school he piloted the B47 bomber and later the KC 135 tanker. George’s stations included Bryan, Pease, Vandenberg and Patrick AFBs as well as Ascension Island in the south Atlantic Ocean where he was appointed Base Commander. George proudly served the USAF until his retirement on August 31, 1973.

 George and Norma met through friends while he was serving at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their shared loved of the coast and lobster rolls led to a loving marriage and together they raised and nurtured five girls, primarily in our beautiful seaside town of Indialantic, Florida.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, George worked in the private sector at Harris Corporation. In 1985, he was hired by Lockheed Space Operations Company as a member of the security launch team. Thanks to his outstanding service with these STS missions, he was chosen by the program astronauts to receive the coveted Silver Snoopy Award.

George and Norma were members of the Eau Gallie Yacht Club where they met life long friends and enjoyed playing tennis for many years. They loved to travel and visit their children, grandchildren and friends located all over the country and loved splitting their time between their homes in Florida and New Hampshire.

George was a Mason with the Trinity Calley Lodge in Dallas; a volunteer at the American Red Cross; and a member of several churches including St. Paul’s Methodist and the Eastminster and Trinity Presbyterian Churches. In later years, he was a happy resident at Buena Vida Estates.

George is predeceased by his wife Norma and survived by his daughters, Debra (Michael) Shannon, Susan (Michael) Crawford, Sandy (Michael) O’Reilly, Beth (Phillip) Parmer, and Jennifer (William) Lazzaroni, and numerous grand and great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Florida Memorial Gardens on Friday, October 2nd at 1:00 with a service to follow at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Brevard Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit their website at brevardalz.org.

There will be a private family reception to follow.