Melvin Eugene “Gene” Freeman age 72 of Sealy, Texas passed on March 5, 2015, in Houston, Texas of cardiac arrest. Gene Freeman was born on September 22, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri to Melvin O. and Waunita Howell Freeman. The Freeman family moved to Texas in 1943. Gene enjoyed spending time with his family in Longton, Kansas. He loved hunting, fishing, working horses, and raising cattle while on breaks during High School and College. Gene graduated High School from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, Texas in 1961, where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America and excelled in track and field. He is a former student of Texas A&M University. Gene left Texas A&M in 1965 to enlist in the United States Army where he served as a laboratory and field medic. Gene became a Health Inspector for the City of Houston and was a Harris County Deputy Sheriff Reserve in the late 1960’s. Gene began a career with Shell Oil Company in 1967 and would continue a career in industrial safety with Shell Oil Company for 30 years until his retirement in 2000. Gene served the Shell West Hollow Research facility as a Safety Engineer and served as the Assistant Fire and Emergency Response Chief. Gene served as an industrial training instructor at the Texas A&M Fire School for several years. Gene married Martha Compton in Galveston, Texas on May 6, 1970. Gene and Martha have two children, Melanie Jean and Matthew Otis. Gene moved his family from Deer Park, Texas to Sealy, Texas in 1976, where he resided until his death. Gene served his community during his 39 years in Sealy as a volunteer ambulance medic for the Austin County Ambulance Service during the 1980’s. Gene was a member of the Sealy Volunteer Fire Department where he served in many capacities for several years. Gene was a member of the Sealy First United Methodist Church. Gene Freeman was a devoted daily coffee drinker after his retirement. He treasured the time spent with his friends at the local café while drinking several cups of coffee. Gene adored being a father and grandfather. He took much pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.
Gene is survived by his wife Martha Freeman of Sealy, Texas; daughter Melanie Lockstedt of Sealy, Texas; son Matthew Freeman and wife Rachael Freeman of Frisco, Texas; grandsons Brian Tanner Lockstedt and Noah Freeman ; granddaughters Brianna Lockstedt and Eliotte Freeman; great-granddaughter Brailey Rose Nino; cousins Joyce Miller of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Janis Howell Hawk and husband Charlie Hawk of Longton, Kansas, Mother-in-law Rita Compton, brothers-in-law William Compton and Melvin “Cody” Compton, sisters-in-law Catherine Hammel and Dorothy Compton; numerous loved nieces and nephews; extended family members that were like daughters to him, Amy Goldstein and spouse Jennifer Nelson-Goldstein and children of Mansfield, Texas and DeeDee Beamon and her children; and several foster grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Melvin Compton; Uncle Herman Howell; and Aunt Wanda Howell Dunham. Gene lived a life of volunteer service to his community in public safety. He was a loving father and cherished husband. He enjoyed life with his children and grandchildren. He was known to them as “PaPa” and took great pride and joy in being a husband, father, and grandfather.

Interment at 11:00 AM on Wednesday March 11, 2015 at
Hartsville Cemetery between Sealy and Wallis.