PHILLIP MORRIS FREEMAN

Phillip Morris Freeman, son of Emerson and Ada Freeman, died at his home in Middleburg, Florida, on October 25, 2022, at age 82. A military funeral with full honors was conducted on November 17th at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.

Although known among his family as Morris, he was Phillip or Phil to everyone else. Phillip was born in Wise, Virginia, graduated 1959 from J.J. Kelly High School, enlisted 1960 with the Army, then the Air Force, spending over two decades serving in numerous postings including Vietnam, Korea and Germany. Phillip was a private man and not one who could sit idle very long. His thoughts and ideas ranged far and wide. In his working days, he often juggled a second or third job, earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Maryland, and took continuous continuing ed classes including in creative writing. Mountain rambles in his youth with his Poppaw exploring every inch of home turf on Dotson Creek in Wise County remained vivid memories that were joyously shared with his brother Leon to the end of his life in daily phone conversations that were looked forward to by everyone in hearing distance. And despite serious health concerns, Phillip revelled in retirement. When able to do so, he enjoyed long walks with his dogs. He took enormous pride in his garden and his fruit trees and his beautiful home always crediting his wife Helga's efforts and taste. He became immensely interested in geneology and searched diligently for generational connections, urging others to become involved. But Phillip's passion was cooking. His tastes were comprehensive and reflective of his travels, including dishes from Turkey, all of Eastern Europe, South Asia, Korea (Kimchi Forever!), anything German and, of course, dishes "like Mommy made." He searched the internet daily for recipe ideas he would try and share, and he delighted in Helga's culinary skills, commenting often on dishes she had prepared and delicious, artful cakes she had baked.

Phillip is survived by his wife Helga, of Middleburg, Florida; his sons, Phillip Patrick Freeman of Coeburn, Virginia and Jeffrey Scott Freeman of Middleburg, Florida; by his grandson, Reese Freeman of Clintwood, Virginia; by his beloved Lhasa Apso, Alec; by his brother, Gerald Freeman, and sisters, Alice Hughes, Dinah Gibson and Mona Freeman, all of Wise, Virginia. His loss is deeply felt and his memory will be long cherished by his family who loved him.