James B. Freeman, Jr.
April 28, 1960 ~ August 3, 2024
James B. Freeman, Jr., born in Djakarta, Indonesia on April 28, 1960 died on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the age of 64.Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm, Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. The service will be live streamed.He was a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, an F-111 Weapons Systems Officer, B-1B Defense Systems Officer, and a Gulf War Veteran. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the 18th of January 1991 for distinguishing himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-111 WSO in support of Operation Desert Storm, where he was also awarded the Air Medal for participating in a strike package that featured the longest unrefueled strike of the Northern Air Campaign. Received multiple other aerial and service-related medals during his service to this country for 22 years. Upon retirement, he became a pilot and flew in a number of other capacities including medical, commercial, business and personal pleasure.He was preceded in death by his parents, James, Sr. and Elizabeth Freeman; sister, Allison Ulmer.He is survived by his daughters, Laura Freeman (fiancée, Tevin Parks) and Caroline Freeman, both of Wichita, KS; son, USAF Captain Garrison Freeman of Clovis, CA; sister, Diana Freeman Dempster of Bethesda, MD.He was a beloved father, son, brother, and friend to all who knew him and will be dearly missed. In all that he did, he never lost his love of flying.A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer's Association, Central & Western Kansas, 535 W. Douglas, Ste. 150, Wichita, KS 67213.
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Rest James, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God. Thank you for your service to this nation. Career U.S. Air Force, pilot and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient. Retired as a Lt. Colonel, 22 years of service.
“Freebie” as we knew him at the 184BW, was a great aviator and comrade. God’s speed my friend and rest well
Rock Hatfield
Jamie and I went to Jr High School together, and later we shared an apartment in Prescott, AZ when we were students at ERAU. After college our career paths and locations diverged, but I will always remember our shared experiences. I remember when my parents visited, and we took a day trip up to the ghost town, Jerome, AZ. There was a hole in the wall tap room with an out of tune standup piano. Jamie sat down at the piano, and within seconds had a large crowd gathered around as he banged out tunes, one after another!
I will miss Jamie, and I was saddened to learn that we won’t visit again.
Rest in peace, dear friend!
– Greg Miele, Bethesda, MD
Garrison has been one of my closest friends since our days at Buckner elementary. And since then, his family has always treated me like one of their own. Mr. Freeman was always a big part of that! There was never a time he didn’t make me feel welcome or happy to see me and catch up. Mr. Freeman was always the cool parent and allowed us to create so many memories with Garrison by opening up his home. I’ll will forever cherish those memories. My heart and prayers go out to the entire Freeman family. May God be with you all!