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Memorial services for Robert Vernon Freed, 80, of Homestead, will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. in the Fairview Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.,
Born April 8, 1943 in Enid Oklahoma to B Leon Freed and Ada Myrtle (Moyers) Freed, he was the youngest of four brothers. At about the age of one, the family moved to the farm at Homestead Oklahoma, where he resided up to his departure to see his Savior, Jesus on March 23, 2024.
Robert (Bob), known to his oldest friends as “Bobby” attended school at Homestead, Oklahoma through 5th grade and was involved in Boy Scouts. He then attended Okeene Public Schools from 6th grade until his graduation in 1961. Bob was involved in band (trombone), choir, football, basketball, and track.
Bob attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University from 1961-1965, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education with a Minor in Chemistry. During college he was involved in choir and band. It was at NWOSU that he met his beautiful wife, Barbara, in the fall of 1965 at the Disciples Christian Fellowship.
Bob then attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a Master of Science in 1968 in Manpower, which included emphasis in Economics, Sociology, Psychology and Education.
Bob married his love Barbara Jean (Leist) Freed on August 12, 1967 at Sickles Community Church. Upon his graduation from OSU, they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Bob started his first position with the US Government at White Sands Missile Range as a Manpower Specialist. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the US Army and attended basic training and AIT at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served just under 2 years in Vietnam working from 5am until the “work was done” generally around 11 pm. He was able to get an early discharge to help his aging parents back in Homestead, Oklahoma with farming operations.
Their first daughter, Kristal, was born while Bob was in Vietnam. Their second daughter, Kimberly was born after his return from Vietnam.
While Bob was in Vietnam, Barbara returned to her parents’ home in Sickles, Oklahoma. Upon discharge from the US Army, Bob joined her and taught Jr. High Math and Science from 1971-1976 at Lookeba-Sickles. During this time, he commuted back and forth to continue the farming operations for his parents. In 1976 the family moved back to the family farm at Homestead to be much closer to his parents. Bob taught Jr. High Math and Science for one year at Hennessey Public Schools, before joining his wife, Barbara, the following year at Fairview Public Schools, where she was already employed. Bob taught one year of Jr. High Math and served as High School Counselor before then being employed full-time as the High School Counselor. During his 19 years at Fairview, he was a Senior Class sponsor and enjoyed being the Academic Team coach, as well as National Honor Society sponsor. Some acknowledgements and awards he received were: Central Academic Conference Top Coach of the Year and Central Academic Conference Top Coach.
Throughout his life he was a member of the First Christian Church of Okeene, Sickles Community Church, Homestead Bible Church, and Disciples of Christ Central Christian Church in Fairview, OK. He enjoyed singing in the choir and men’s quartet as well as leading singing many years.
From an early age he started farming with the family and continued throughout his life. He always had a large garden in addition to wheat, alfalfa, and raised his Santa Gertrudis cattle. In 2012, he and Barbara started Freed Family Farm (F3) which included a large vegetable hoop house operation as well as hand-crafted lotions, soaps, and jellies. He was the master lotion maker, and jack of all trades needed on the farm.
Along the years his favorite pastimes have included putting together large puzzles, Sudoku, and collecting eagle statuettes. Some of his greatest joys throughout life were enjoying his daughters’ activities and the activities of his five grandchildren. He traveled many miles to watch dance, sports, music, or any activity they were participating in at the time. Family was so important to him, with annual family reunions with his brothers and their families, as well as every moment he could spend with his wife, daughters, and his grandchildren.
Bob was an active member of the Major County Retired Educators and the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association. While teaching he served as a delegate to the National NEA convention in Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA, creating amazing family vacations for his family along with it.
His best buddy in recent years was his dog Ranger, who “appeared” in the ditch by the house and quickly became the boss of the house. Ranger was his protector and stayed by his side, knowing how he was feeling, and forcing a head rub as often as possible.
Bob was preceded into heaven by his parents B and Myrtle Freed, his brother James Freed, sister-in-law, Kathy Freed, parents-in-law Marvin and Myra Leist, and brother-in-law, M.C. Leist. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children Kristal (Freed) Randall and husband Brian of Norman, OK, and Kimberly (Freed) Houk and husband Joe of Isabella, OK. His grandchildren Laura (Randall) Leu and husband Colton of Moore, OK, Shane Randall and fiancé Jada Hanneman of Woodward, OK, Andrew Houk of Weatherford, OK, Austin Houk of Weatherford, OK, and Alexander Houk of Isabella, OK. He is also survived by his brothers Ronald Freed of McPherson, KS, and Merlin Freed and wife Nancy of Vici, OK, his sister-in-law Judith Freed of Delaware, Ohio, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.
Memorials may be made through Fairview Funeral Home, Inc., to Northwestern Foundation-Dr Marvin and Myra Leist Scholarship, Ames Cemetery Association, or Fairview High School All Sports Boosters
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