Roy Freeman, age 83, of Raleigh, died on December 2, 2018. He was the son of the late Jasper and Viola Freeman.

Mr. Freeman served in the National Guard and as an Army Reservist for fourteen years and was honorably discharged in 1962. He was in senior management and sales with Kraft Foods for 33 years. After he retired from Kraft in 1992, he worked in sales at Freeman Screen Printers in Charlotte alongside his son until his accident in 2003.

He was a member of the Civitans and served as Vice President of the Jaycees during his earlier years. He was a lifelong member of Methodist Men and served on numerous boards within the various Methodist churches he attended. He was a longtime member of the Christian Home Sunday School class of Providence Methodist Church in Charlotte and served faithfully there as a Stephen Minister for thirteen years. After moving to Raleigh in 2014 he attended Crossroads Fellowship Church where he made many friends, especially in the Boomers class.

Roy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Guin Freeman; his daughters, Rebecca (Charley) Norkus of Raleigh, Paula (Rick) Anderson of Raleigh, and son, Joseph (Carol) Freeman of Mooresville; his eight grandchildren, Christopher Nod (Elizabeth) Norkus , Caleb (Danielle) Norkus , Rebekah Norkus (Matthew) Werner, Rachel Anderson (Whit) Petitgout, Ben (Paige) Anderson, Samantha , Brooke and Casey Freeman; his brothers, William and Tommy Freeman; his sister, Kathleen Freeman Fippinger. He also has six great-grandchildren: Zoe, Gianna, and Isabella Werner, and London, Oscar and Viviana Norkus. He was preceded in death by his brother, Arvin J. Freeman, and his infant son David Leroy Freeman.

He was a loving father and grandfather who brought love, laughter, and a strong work ethic to his family. He shared many fond memories with family at their beloved beach house. During the last fifteen years since his paralyzing accident, he was a blessing and example of bravery, strength, and optimism to doctors, nurses, patients, caregivers, family and friends. Everyone loved his smile and it drew many people to him throughout his life. The family is eternally grateful for his caregiver, Jonathan Johns who gave such loving care to Roy during his last years.

A service to celebrate Roy's life will be held at Crossroads Fellowship on Friday, December 7, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. and visitation will follow after the service. On Saturday, December 8, 2018, there will be a Reception at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte at 11:00 am.

In memory of Roy, donations can be made to The Spinal Cord Injury Fund of Charlotte at http://www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/find-your-cause/other-causes/, or checks may be mailed to Atrium Health Foundation, 208 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.