Obituary of Thomas Joseph Freeman

Thomas Joseph Freeman, 88, of Kent, passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2020. He was born April 22, 1932, in Canton to Robert Emmett and Pauline DeCorps Freeman. Tom graduated from Lehman High School and Kent State University. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Tom married the late Mimi Johnson Freeman on September 8, 1956. Tom and Mimi had nine children in addition to twenty-three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Tom had a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. He was Vice President and co-owner of Immediate Disposal in Brimfield and later engaged in commercial real estate. His career in public service included serving as Child Welfare Director of Lake County, Executive Director of the Florence Crittenton Home in Akron, Ohio, Executive Director of Catholic Charities in Portage County, founding the Pregnancy Center of Kent and Portage County Commissioner. Tom served on the boards of the Area Agency on Aging and the Coleman Foundation. Tom enjoyed traveling and adventure. He toured throughout the United States in addition to trips to New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Italy, the Amazon and North Pole. Tom possessed a generous spirit and dynamic personality. A dedicated family man, he exhibited an unwavering commitment, willingness and capacity to understand, appreciate and respond to the needs of others. Tom touched the lives of many and his influence will forever remain in the lives of all he knew. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent and ushered Mass on Sundays. Tom was a member of the President's Club of Kent State University. His life will be forever cherished by his surviving wife Susan, and his children, Tom and wife, Francine of Kent, Jennifer McDonough of Kent, Mary Sears and husband, Victor of Rockwall, Texas, Matthew of Stow, Ernie and wife Cindy of Cuyahoga Falls, Paula Murray and husband, Roger of Atlanta, Georgia, John and wife, Kate of Surfside Beach, SC, David and wife, Kara of Memphis, Tennessee, Francis of Kent and grandchildren. Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 16th from 5 to 8 PM at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 17th at 10 AM at St. Patrick Church, Fr. Richard Pentello celebrant. Burial will be at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Tom and Mimi Freeman Family Endowment, c/o Coleman Foundation, 5983 Rhodes Road, Kent, OH 44240 or St. Patrick’s Church, 313 North DePeyster Street, Kent, OH 44240.