Jefferson Freeman

  Jefferson “Jeff” Freeman passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, after a long-fought illness, surrounded by his wife and children.

  Jeff was born on September 6, 1934, in New York City and later moved to North Carolina following his tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1951–1954).

  It was in North Carolina that he met his wife, Mary Clontz and they were married until his passing, a total of 69 years. Together, they had five children: two sons, John (Jane) Freeman and Jimmy Freeman, and three daughters, Robin (Jamie) Owensby, Debbie (Tim) Hutto, and Carol (Rodney) Burnette. Jeff had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.

  Jeff worked at Borden Dairy and Home Beneficial Insurance, and later retired from Freeman’s Car Stereo.

  Jeff loved sports. He played baseball and basketball during his adult years and later moved into officiating softball and baseball with the Metrolina Athletic Officials Association (MAOA), and football with the Metrolina Football Officials Association (MFOA), in order to stay close to the games he loved.

  Jeff loved dogs and all kinds of sports. He loved Duke Blue Devil basketball and the Atlanta Braves baseball team. He loved playing Jeopardy—often shouting out the answers before anyone else—and his family joked that he could easily have been a contestant. He relished bingo and poker nights with his family, where the competition was friendly but spirited and the laughter was constant. Jeff also enjoyed golf, bowling, and shooting pool with the APA Pool League, finding joy not just in the games themselves but in the time spent with friends and loved ones. He had a very witty sense of humor that his family thoroughly enjoyed.

  Jeff was preceded in death by his youngest son, Jimmy, and by his parents, Edward Freeman and Mae Tierney.

  His family and friends will miss him dearly, but they will carry his stories, his lessons, and his love in their hearts forever.

  Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 18, 6-8pm at Hartsell Funeral Home, 12115 University City Blvd, Harrisburg, NC. The funeral services will be on Thursday, March 19, at 1pm at Hunter Acres Baptist Church, 4520 Herman Dr, Charlotte, NC. They will be a Graveside service immediately following at Gethsemane Cemetery, 1520 Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers please make donation to Hunter Acres Baptist Church.