James R. Freeman

Columbia, TN - Mr. James R. 'Jim' Freeman, Sr. of Columbia, Tennessee, formerly of Waltham, passed away on Tuesday April 3, 2007 at his residence. He was 80. A Waltham native, he was the son of the late Alfred and Mary (Scannell) Freeman. Jim played baseball on the Waltham High School championship teams and after high school he played for Dexter Drug of Waltham and for a year with the Milwaukee Braves farm team. He served with the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. Jim loved to dance and was an avid skier and golfer. He traveled extensively through the United States and had a special interest in Civil War sites. He was the brother of the late Elizabeth Freeman, Barbara Freeman, and Margaret Seaburg. He leaves his wife, Kathleen 'Kathy' Freeman; his children, Kristin Alpert of Holliston, Kimberly Powers of Kensington, New Hampshire, James Freeman of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, Peter Freeman of Nashua, New Hampshire, Jill Kirk of Millbury, and Caroline Engvall of Bristol, Vermont; one step-daughter, Lynne Seaburg of Rindge, New Hampshire; his former wife, Patricia Renaghan of Milford; one brother, Joseph Freeman of Irving, California; one sister, Catherine Phoenix of Chelmsford, fifteen grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday April 27, at 10 a.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim Freeman’s name for a college baseball scholarship with donations sent to Waltham High School, c/o John Graceffa, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham MA 02452 or to Caris Hospice, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Suite 11, Columbia, TN 38401.