1941
CAPT
2013
CAPT Donald Ralph Freese, USNR Ret.
July 8, 1941 — September 3, 2013
Donald Ralph Freese, Captain USNR, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 3rd, at the age of 72 surrounded by his family in St. Pete Beach, FL. Captain Freese is survived by his loving wife; Sherry Freese; his children; Marc Freese and Michelle (Freese) Star; his son-in-law, Jason Star, and daughter-in-law, Melody Freese; and four grandchildren, Jackson Star, Sawyer Star, Alexander Freese, and Alissa Freese. He is preceded in death by his father, Fritz Freese; his mother, Pearl Freese; an infant twin brother, Daniel; and brother, Clarence Freese.
Don was born in Rock Island, IL July 8, 1941 and proud to be an active alumni of Rock Island High School, Class of 1959. He went on to graduate in 1963 from the U.S. Naval Academy and recalled his Academy years fondly and relished his time of service in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves. In addition to his BS degree from the Navy Academy, he earned both a Master of Science and an MBA from Binghamton University. He later went on to receive his JD degree from Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University and was licensed to practice law in Kentucky and Ohio.
Don's support to the military continued well past his retirement from the Naval Reserves in 1993. Don was a long-time Military Officer's Association of America (MOAA) Life Member with an incredible record of distinguished leadership at MOAA. He was the President of the St. Petersburg Chapter, Chairman of the Florida Council of Chapters and at the time of his death a sitting member of the MOAA National Board of Directors.
Don Freese has been a Naval officer, Vice President of a corporation, an adjunct professor, and a lawyer. His most cherished and successful roles were that of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He instilled in his family faith in God, sensibility, compassion, and service. He will be missed.
Don will be laid to rest in his hometown at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL after a brief service at Esterdahl Mortuary at 10:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2013.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the USNA Class of 1963 Legacy Project, the Center for Academic Excellence. Donations can be mailed to Mr. James M. DeFrancia, Treasurer of the USNA Class of 1963 Foundation, P.O Box 12393, Aspen,CO 81612. Donors should indicate donations are for Don Freese.
Here is a link to the web page for the project:
http://www.usna.edu/AcCenter/
Here is a link to the form to make a donation:
http://www.usna63.org/foundation/PledgeForm.pdf
Don was born in Rock Island, IL July 8, 1941 and proud to be an active alumni of Rock Island High School, Class of 1959. He went on to graduate in 1963 from the U.S. Naval Academy and recalled his Academy years fondly and relished his time of service in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves. In addition to his BS degree from the Navy Academy, he earned both a Master of Science and an MBA from Binghamton University. He later went on to receive his JD degree from Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University and was licensed to practice law in Kentucky and Ohio.
Don's support to the military continued well past his retirement from the Naval Reserves in 1993. Don was a long-time Military Officer's Association of America (MOAA) Life Member with an incredible record of distinguished leadership at MOAA. He was the President of the St. Petersburg Chapter, Chairman of the Florida Council of Chapters and at the time of his death a sitting member of the MOAA National Board of Directors.
Don Freese has been a Naval officer, Vice President of a corporation, an adjunct professor, and a lawyer. His most cherished and successful roles were that of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He instilled in his family faith in God, sensibility, compassion, and service. He will be missed.
Don will be laid to rest in his hometown at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL after a brief service at Esterdahl Mortuary at 10:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2013.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the USNA Class of 1963 Legacy Project, the Center for Academic Excellence. Donations can be mailed to Mr. James M. DeFrancia, Treasurer of the USNA Class of 1963 Foundation, P.O Box 12393, Aspen,CO 81612. Donors should indicate donations are for Don Freese.
Here is a link to the web page for the project:
http://www.usna.edu/AcCenter/
Here is a link to the form to make a donation:
http://www.usna63.org/foundation/PledgeForm.pdf
To send flowers to the family in memory of CAPT Donald Ralph Freese, USNR Ret., please visit our flower store.