John Russell Freeman

John Russell Freeman 57, passed away at home on December 28, 2011, after a 3 year bout with colon cancer. He faced his illness with the courage and determination that he had exhibited from childhood. At age 7 John was a fearless swimmer and diver, at 14 an outstanding scuba diver and on his 16th birthday he received his driver's license and his pilot's license. While still in high school, he and a friend researched, designed and built a two man submarine. A 1973 graduate of John Marshall High School, John attended Oklahoma State University where his area of study was mechanical design. From that time he worked in several businesses in Oklahoma City in his chosen field, but he was happiest when he could just design and invent which he did, becoming an expert on his computer. John was an early investor in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City. He owned and operated Piggy's restaurant for several years. John was predeceased by his grandparents, Weldon G. (Dick) Freeman and Opal Hatton Freeman, of Oklahoma City and Wedell McKinley Ramsey and Willie Mae Culp Ramsey, of Itasca, Texas. He is survived by his parents, Judge (Ret.) Richard W. Freeman, Sr. and Janelle Ramsey Freeman; a daughter, Rachel Ticer and her husband Bryan, of Oklahoma City; and a son, Ryan Freeman and his wife Chassie, of Jones, Oklahoma; and three grandsons, Wyatt Ticer, Seth Ticer, and John Freeman. Other survivors are two brothers, Richard Freeman, Jr. and his wife Vickie, Of Oklahoma City, and Roger Freeman of Cashion, Oklahoma; a nephew, Richard Freeman, III of Oklahoma City; a niece, Katherine Price and her husband Captain Charles Price, USAF, of Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk England, an aunt, Catherine Ramsey Shappard, of Mesquite, Texas; and many cousins in Texas and Illinois, His longtime companion, Chanda Coggins; and many, many friends also survive him. The family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to John's lifelong friend, Mark St. Cyr, D.Ph. and Chris Teel Womack, R.N., the mother of John's children for their encouragement and help throughout John's illness; and to the cancer doctors and staff at Mercy Hospital and to Mercy Hospice.