Home
News
ENLARGE
Alvin Ray Freeman was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 28, 1940, to Rose Marie Freeman and Ernest A. Freeman.
Al's parents and two brothers, Ed and Butch Freeman, moved to Mineral Wills, Texas, during the WWII conflict. Later, the family returned to California and settled in Culver City.
Al had a wonderful childhood. He always felt blessed to have had a loving family, wonderful memories, and a healthy childhood. Al was in the cub scouts and boy scouts of America. These organizations created opportunities for him to do the things he loved like going camping and fishing. He enjoyed square dancing with the neighborhood children. Eventually, he took lessons and became proficient at square dancing.
The Freeman family worked very hard. At a young age, Al was earning money mowing lawns, selling dogs with his brother Butch, and selling Christmas trees at the family lot. Growing up he was taught that hard work and honesty were strong values.
Al was a child actor and ultimately performed in two movies The Glass Wall (1953) and Riding Shotgun (1954) with Randolph Scott. He appeared with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the Colgate Comedy Hour. He also enjoyed selling news papers and watching movies being made at RKO and MGM studios.
Al loved and enjoyed his high school years. He attended Palms Junior High School in Culver City, California, and graduated from Venice High School in Venice, California. During High School, Al was active in student government and athletics. He was also a gymnast and played football.
After High School, Al joined the United States Marine Corp and went to boot camp in San Diego, California. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton at Oceanside, California. Al always appreciated and loved his county and he was proud to be an American. He was very patriotic and always proud of our service men and women.
Al worked for the Santa Fe Railroad System as a Locomotive Fireman. He also served a formal four year apprenticeship and became a journeymen electrician for the Santa Fe Railroad System. Later, Al worked as a journeyman electrician for North American Rockwell Corporation, at the space division, in Seal Beach, California. It was there that Al met his beloved wife, Barbara Sue Upton. They married on September 15, 1968 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married 41 years.
Al and Barbara moved to Oregon in 1971 and had two daughters, Alisha Charles and Jacque Saylor. The couple lived and raised their family in Yoncalla, Oregon, on a small farm. They created many memories as an active family spending time raising animals, camping, fishing, snow skiing, crabbing, and going to church at the Yoncalla Assembly of God and Yoncalla Christian Assembly. Al retired from Lane County Oregon as an electrician.
Al enjoyed many hobbies including: outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, horse back riding, high school and college football. He was an Oregon Duck fan and attended many of the University of Oregon football games at Autzen Stadium. In addition, he was active in Yoncalla school functions.
Al's favorite holiday was the 4th of July. He was very patriot and this holiday created many memories and a sense of thankfulness to his beloved country, the United States of America.
Al created many fond memories with his grandchildren. He attended their sporting and school events, parades, and participated in many outdoor activities with them. He loved all of his grandchildren very much. They are, Breanna Saylor, Victoria Terry, Ryan Saylor, and Cameron Terry. In 2005, Al welcomed three step-grandchildren, Michael, Sarah, and Tori Charles. He often spoke of his granddaughter, Victoria Terry as his little hero. Victoria was born premature at 1 1/2 pounds and has many disabilities. However, Al was amazed by her smile, laughter, and ability to endure many challenges.
Al was grateful to both of his son-in-laws, Glen Charles and Gary Saylor. He respected them, cared for them, and was thankful for their care for his family.
Al was grateful for and loved his in-laws, the Upton family. They were special to him. He had many fond memories of his time with them.
In 1998, Al and Barbara had the opportunity to go on a 21 day cruise and travel to three continents including Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean Islands. The couple spent four memorable nights in Rome, Italy and visited the Vatican, Coliseum, Sistine Chapel and other historic places. This trip was a big part of his life. However, this experience made him love and enjoy America even more. He especially enjoyed his trips to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Yellow Stone National Park and the Carl Bad Caverns.
In 2009, Al was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. On Thursday, March 4, 2010, Alvin went to Heaven to be with his Savior.
Al Freeman will be missed by his family and dear friends: wife, Barbara Sue Freeman of Yoncalla, Oregon; daughter, Alisha and husband, Glen Charles of Creswell, Oregon; daughter, Jacque and husband, Gary Saylor of Roseburg, Oregon; grandchildren, Breanna Saylor; Victoria Terry; Ryan Saylor; Cameron Terry and Michael, Sarah and Tori Charles; brother, Ed and wife, Donna Freeman of Umpqua, Oregon; brother, Butch and wife, Carol Freeman of Oakland, Oregon; Many nieces and nephews and their families Robert, Tim, Jeff and Kurt Freeman. Debbie McParland; Ray Freeman, Don Freeman, and Kim Neilsen; The Upton Family including: father-in-law, Eugene Upton of Westminster, California; Doug and Tess Upton of Oakland; Ken and Debbie Upton of Garden Grove, California; Jack and Shelley Upton of California. Very dear and special friends, Patrick and Judy Turner of Torrance, California; Bob and Nancy Lorey of West Covina, California.
Al Freeman will be buried at the Fair Oak's Cemetery located east of Sutherlin, Oregon. His eternal resting place is Heaven.
The memorial service will take place Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 1 p.m., at the Drain Assembly of God Church, 975 Drain Section Road. Please join us to celebrate the life of this wonderful man and consider wearing red. Al asked for this show of support for the ALS Foundation and those struggling with the disease. We also know that red is a little sassy and so was Al.
Al's parents and two brothers, Ed and Butch Freeman, moved to Mineral Wills, Texas, during the WWII conflict. Later, the family returned to California and settled in Culver City.
Al had a wonderful childhood. He always felt blessed to have had a loving family, wonderful memories, and a healthy childhood. Al was in the cub scouts and boy scouts of America. These organizations created opportunities for him to do the things he loved like going camping and fishing. He enjoyed square dancing with the neighborhood children. Eventually, he took lessons and became proficient at square dancing.
The Freeman family worked very hard. At a young age, Al was earning money mowing lawns, selling dogs with his brother Butch, and selling Christmas trees at the family lot. Growing up he was taught that hard work and honesty were strong values.
Al was a child actor and ultimately performed in two movies The Glass Wall (1953) and Riding Shotgun (1954) with Randolph Scott. He appeared with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the Colgate Comedy Hour. He also enjoyed selling news papers and watching movies being made at RKO and MGM studios.
Al loved and enjoyed his high school years. He attended Palms Junior High School in Culver City, California, and graduated from Venice High School in Venice, California. During High School, Al was active in student government and athletics. He was also a gymnast and played football.
After High School, Al joined the United States Marine Corp and went to boot camp in San Diego, California. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton at Oceanside, California. Al always appreciated and loved his county and he was proud to be an American. He was very patriotic and always proud of our service men and women.
Al worked for the Santa Fe Railroad System as a Locomotive Fireman. He also served a formal four year apprenticeship and became a journeymen electrician for the Santa Fe Railroad System. Later, Al worked as a journeyman electrician for North American Rockwell Corporation, at the space division, in Seal Beach, California. It was there that Al met his beloved wife, Barbara Sue Upton. They married on September 15, 1968 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married 41 years.
Al and Barbara moved to Oregon in 1971 and had two daughters, Alisha Charles and Jacque Saylor. The couple lived and raised their family in Yoncalla, Oregon, on a small farm. They created many memories as an active family spending time raising animals, camping, fishing, snow skiing, crabbing, and going to church at the Yoncalla Assembly of God and Yoncalla Christian Assembly. Al retired from Lane County Oregon as an electrician.
Al enjoyed many hobbies including: outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, horse back riding, high school and college football. He was an Oregon Duck fan and attended many of the University of Oregon football games at Autzen Stadium. In addition, he was active in Yoncalla school functions.
Al's favorite holiday was the 4th of July. He was very patriot and this holiday created many memories and a sense of thankfulness to his beloved country, the United States of America.
Al created many fond memories with his grandchildren. He attended their sporting and school events, parades, and participated in many outdoor activities with them. He loved all of his grandchildren very much. They are, Breanna Saylor, Victoria Terry, Ryan Saylor, and Cameron Terry. In 2005, Al welcomed three step-grandchildren, Michael, Sarah, and Tori Charles. He often spoke of his granddaughter, Victoria Terry as his little hero. Victoria was born premature at 1 1/2 pounds and has many disabilities. However, Al was amazed by her smile, laughter, and ability to endure many challenges.
Al was grateful to both of his son-in-laws, Glen Charles and Gary Saylor. He respected them, cared for them, and was thankful for their care for his family.
Al was grateful for and loved his in-laws, the Upton family. They were special to him. He had many fond memories of his time with them.
In 1998, Al and Barbara had the opportunity to go on a 21 day cruise and travel to three continents including Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean Islands. The couple spent four memorable nights in Rome, Italy and visited the Vatican, Coliseum, Sistine Chapel and other historic places. This trip was a big part of his life. However, this experience made him love and enjoy America even more. He especially enjoyed his trips to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Yellow Stone National Park and the Carl Bad Caverns.
In 2009, Al was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. On Thursday, March 4, 2010, Alvin went to Heaven to be with his Savior.
Al Freeman will be missed by his family and dear friends: wife, Barbara Sue Freeman of Yoncalla, Oregon; daughter, Alisha and husband, Glen Charles of Creswell, Oregon; daughter, Jacque and husband, Gary Saylor of Roseburg, Oregon; grandchildren, Breanna Saylor; Victoria Terry; Ryan Saylor; Cameron Terry and Michael, Sarah and Tori Charles; brother, Ed and wife, Donna Freeman of Umpqua, Oregon; brother, Butch and wife, Carol Freeman of Oakland, Oregon; Many nieces and nephews and their families Robert, Tim, Jeff and Kurt Freeman. Debbie McParland; Ray Freeman, Don Freeman, and Kim Neilsen; The Upton Family including: father-in-law, Eugene Upton of Westminster, California; Doug and Tess Upton of Oakland; Ken and Debbie Upton of Garden Grove, California; Jack and Shelley Upton of California. Very dear and special friends, Patrick and Judy Turner of Torrance, California; Bob and Nancy Lorey of West Covina, California.
Al Freeman will be buried at the Fair Oak's Cemetery located east of Sutherlin, Oregon. His eternal resting place is Heaven.
The memorial service will take place Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 1 p.m., at the Drain Assembly of God Church, 975 Drain Section Road. Please join us to celebrate the life of this wonderful man and consider wearing red. Al asked for this show of support for the ALS Foundation and those struggling with the disease. We also know that red is a little sassy and so was Al.
