James Lee Freed, 85, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at his home. He was born Waynesboro, VA to George and Dora Freed. As a youth, James played baseball. At 17 he joined the U.S. Army where he served for 20 years. During his deployment in Germany, James met and married the love of his life, Franziska Plobner. He became a certified baseball umpire while enlisted.
After James retired from the U.S. Army, 519th Transportation Company, he drove OTR trucks. He started his own painting company called Freed’s Painting, which was quite successful.
James was always a sharp dresser. He expected nothing but the best when it came to his yard and helped to maintain a tidy house. James liked hands-on work and tinkering in his shop/garage.
In his spare time, James enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching golf and every western ever made. He was a cowboy at heart; he loved listening to country music and was a huge John Wayne fan.
As for sports, James was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and Miami Dolphins. He was a fan of Richard Petty and helped build a replica of the Petty Car.
James enjoyed watching cartoons, especially Tom and Jerry and Mike. Most of all, James loved the time he spent with friends and family while sitting on the back porch.
James was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dora; his wife, Franziska and 2 sons, Anton and George Freed. He is survived by his son, Michael and wife, Shawna; 4 grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Nathan, and Lauren and 3 great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Caison and Corbyn.
The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Weymouth Funeral Home.
