Freeman E. Smith

Freeman E. Smith, beloved husband, father and Papa, passed away peacefully at age 80 on Wednesday, November 13 at his home in Houston. He was born in Winnsboro, Louisiana on January 20, 1933 to F.W. and Verna Smith. He is survived by Billie, his devoted wife of 57 years; their daughters and sons-in-law: Teri and Rick Pond of Houston, and Stacy and Jeff Warren of Dallas; and his 4 cherished grandchildren: Stephanie Pond, and Whitney, Emily and Travis Warren. He is also survived by his brother, Glenn Smith of Houston and sister, Carolyn Thompson of San Antonio, and a host of extended family.

Freeman graduated with honors from Louisiana Tech University with a BS degree in Business Management. His expansive career had humble beginnings with Esso Standard Oil Company as a sales trainee. For 33 years, as the company progressed into ExxonMobil Corporation, Freeman advanced through numerous marketing and public affairs positions across the southeastern U.S., finally retiring as Texas Area Public Affairs Manager in Houston. After retirement, Freeman was named Director of Texans for Judicial Excellence and served as a Senior Consultant for ExxonMobil as Executive Director of the Texas General Counsel Group. He also was a board member of the Texas Civil Justice League, the Texas Association of Business, and Texans for Education. Throughout his life, Freeman never wavered in his interest and active participation in Texas politics and its judicial system.

A visitation for Freeman will be Friday, November 15, 2013 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home from 6-8 P.M. in the White Oak Room

A celebration of his life, followed by internment, will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home on Saturday, November 16 at 12:30 p.m. The family would like to thank Dr. James L. Pool and his staff for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM160, Houston, Texas 77030 or online