Obituary of James Walter "Jim" Freeman

James Walter Freeman was born Aug. 31, 1924 in Colton, CA to Wiford And Hessie Freeman. Jim passed away in Stockton, CA Jan. 27, 2014 with family at his side. Following graduation from high school, Jim joined the Army, initially as an infantryman and later as an airman. He served in the South Pacific during WW II. Returning home to Riverside, Jim worked for Pacific Fruit Express where he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter; making all his own tools in the process. At age 32, while sitting in a hot boxcar, it dawned on Jim that he was more a thinker than a tinker...he should pursue a career in management. Jim got a job with Southern California Edison where he remained for 30 years, retiring as District Budget and Services Manager. Throughout his life, Jim was very active in and committed to Masonic organizations. In the course of his life, Jim was Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Patron, etc. of various southern California and Oregon Masonic organizations including the Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Eastern Star. Until age 52, Jim devoted his time to work, his mother and sister, the Masons, hunting, fishing, and trap shooting. At age 52, Jim married Ella Dee Liblen (Dee), her mother Lena Shelton, her son Bill Milem, her daughter Cindy Milem, and Bill's wife Kay. Later, Cindy's husband Mike Garman became Jim's son-in-law. Jim was a natural family man, and a better step-father could not be found. After retiring, Jim and Dee moved to Big Bear Lake before following Bill and Kay to Bend, Oregon where they lived for several years. When Bill and Kay returned to California, so did Jim and Dee. They settled in Banning, where they lived for about 10 years before moving to Stockton in 2012 to be closer to Cindy. Always a voracious reader of American history, during retirement, Jim resumed fly fishing and took up woodworking. Jim is survived by his wife Dee Freeman, son Bill Milem, daughter Cindy Garman, son-in-law Mike Garman, daughter-in-law Kay Milem and numerous friends.