Obituary
Thomas Jay Freeman of The Villages, Fla., passed away unexpectedly and amid his battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, shortly after celebrating his 77th birthday. Tom was born on July 16, 1944, in Flint, MI, to Max and Marian (Kenner) Freeman. Tom spent part of his childhood in Detroit before the family moved to Holly, MI.
After graduating from Holly High School in 1962, Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Michigan Technological University. He retired after more than three decades with Unisys Corporation, a worldwide information technology company. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Karen Jo (MacKenzie) Freeman, and they were fortunate to share 54 years of marriage.
Tom leaves behind his wife, Karen, and their children, Kristin Kelch (Mike), Sheryl Eccles (Noah) and Amanda Freeman; six grandchildren, Shawn, Sam, Sierra, Piper, Phoebe and Lilly; one great-grandchild, Harper; sister, Judith Rayman (Steven); and brother, Richard Freeman (Nirin).
Tom was a man of few words, but it didn’t take many to express his brilliance, humor and deep love for his family. He lit up the room with his lightning-quick jokes and sayings, and encouraged each and every one of us to achieve our highest potential through the values of love, kindness and hard work. Tom was an avid runner, cyclist and fitness enthusiast, and he will be sorely missed.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Tom’s life from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at his residence, 17600 SE 86th Briarcliffe Ct., The Villages, FL. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/donate
I am so grateful to have known him, and will miss him a great deal. He's the type of person I wish I had as a father.
Very generous. I remember on a trip with Tom to "Underground Atlanta". He bought everyone a beer. There were on sale that night, 20 for a dollar. 8<).
Miss you, Tom.
Glenn
Karen, Kristin, Sheryl, and Amanda: As I reflect on the life of my dear friend Tom and our 50 years of friendship, in my opinion, every day of Tom’s life he embraced finding out why. As I recall so many memories of our business and personal friendship my watch words are ‘honest, loyal, true and loving best friend.’
And although Tom has sadly left us his presence was a blessing for me. I am truly lucky and honored to have been included in his friendship circle.
Tom will always be in my mind and heart. And each of you will be in my and Lucille’s prayers. Rest in Power & Peace Tom Freeman!
Sam & Lucille Murphy
Karen, Kristin, Sheryl, and Amanda: As I reflect on the life of my dear friend Tom and our 50 years of friendship, in my opinion, every day of Tom’s life he embraced finding out why. As I recall so many memories of our business and personal friendship my watch words are ‘honest, loyal, true and loving best friend.’
And although Tom has sadly left us his presence was a blessing for me. I am truly lucky and honored to have been included in his friendship circle.
Tom will always be in my mind and heart. And each of you will be in my and Lucille’s prayers.
I will miss a great friend and a professional leader. Tom, Sam Murphy, Mark Rosenberg and the undersigned, just the four of us, wih hundreds of programmers, realised, trough each of our individual competences, in the seventies and eighties, Burroughs largest and most complex netwerk in over 66 countries. SWIFT is to-day a world class-leader in Banking.
Tom was the silent, soft, but potent voice. He was always loud and clear. He forever marked us.
May he remain in peace.
Don and Jann Eccles
We shared a history with the Freeman’s as neighbors in Michigan. We are blessed to have had them in our lives once again. He was a very special man and will be missed by all who knew him.