James Henry Freeman took his last breath, surrounded by family, just before midnight Sep 7, 2021, in his residence at Sacred Heart Villa in Laureldale. He joined the love of his life, Emily "Nancy" (Patton) Freeman whom he married 27 Jul 1951. She died 22 Sep 2010 after 59 years of marriage. He was the son of the late Elem E. and Mary S. (Erwin) Freeman, born in Cumru Twp., 16 Oct 1926. He worked for Firestone Tire & Rubber Co in Pottstown until they closed and retired from the Oxy Chemical plant in Pottstown. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, crossing the Atlantic 11 times transporting troops and supplies. He finished his service at Guantanamo Bay. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the Kenhorst Fire Co.

Jim attended Farview School in Kenhorst but quit after the 8th grade. He continued his education in the school of hard knocks. He quickly learned what he needed to know (without the aid of Google!) to do whatever he wanted to accomplish.

He met "Nancy" when he bought a ticket to the movies at the Embassy Theater in Reading. She was working the ticket window. On their first date, he took her to a movie, at the Deer Lake Drive-In. Eventually they eloped to Elkton, MD to get married. They traveled extensively after they retired, touring Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Las Vegas, Nashville, Branson, Bahamas, Jamaica and several cruises in the Caribbean. They loved to "camp" at Indian River Inlet every summer. He would go fishing and she would soak up the rays on the beach. Both enjoyed taking the family to Nicola's Pizza in Rehobeth for "Nicabolis" and letting the grand kids loose on the Boardwalk. They renewed their Vows on their 50th wedding anniversary at a Freeman Reunion inside the Old Belleman's Church. Jim was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He maintained a camp named "Cats Paws" in Forksville, Sullivan County, PA with his best friend Ray Wenger. They had many adventures on hunting and fishing expeditions to Canada, Maine, Indian River Inlet, throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and beyond. His CB 'handle' was "Bigfoot". He was a "Jack of all trades" and always willing, to a fault, to help family, friends and ingrates with their projects and rarely ever asked for help in return. He never sought sympathy for, or even talked about any ailment that he may have been experiencing. When his doctors recently recommended an amputation, he courageously and emphatically said "No!", knowing that this decision would soon lead to his death. He was ready.

Jim is survived by two sons, two daughters and their families: three brothers and two sisters.

He was predeceased by siblings: Earl E.; Betty M. Nagle; Helen L.; Beatrice L.; Jane E.; Allan D. "Muzz" Freeman and Eula M. Yarnall; a step-son, George Armpriester and a grand daughter Ann M. (Freeman) Silvius.

The family sincerely thanks the staff at Sacred Heart Villa for the care that was provided for him as a resident where he loved living. Thanks also to Caring Hospice for all their efforts in his final days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to your choice of non-profits that he supported: Leesport Area Historical Society, Meadowbrook Country Club or Pagoda-Skyline Inc.

Services will be held in Auman's, Inc. Funeral Home, 390 W. Neversink Road, Reading, Pa. (Exeter Township) 19606 on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Friends and family may view on Tuesday from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm.