Obituary of James Samuel Freeman

James Samuel Freeman, 78, of Great Falls, Montana, passed away on July 15, 2025. Jim was born on June 7, 1947, in Bozeman, Montana. He attended grade school in Bozeman before moving to Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1965. Pursuing his passion for the outdoors, he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fish and Wildlife Management from Montana State University in 1971. Jim started his career with Cascade County in 1972 and retired 36 years later as the Weed Supervisor for the Cascade County Weed and Mosquito Control Division. Even after retirement, he continued to support the Montana Weed Control Association and Cascade Conservation District and was a valued colleague and mentor to many throughout the state during and after his career. As an active member of Central Christian Church, he served as an elder in the local church and supported the regional church. He also served as a board member for the Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends, family, church members, and the broader community. As an avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, camping, visiting national parks, day trips up to the mountains, and even neighborhood strolls to play Pokémon. In the summer, he could often be found playing guitar and leading sing-alongs by the campfire at Many Pines Campground, Cane Ridge West church camp in Lincoln, or Hungry Horse Reservoir during huckleberry season. Above all, Jim was a dedicated family man. He lived near his parents and supported them so that they could live independently into their 90s. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 56 years. He was a hands-on father who encouraged his two daughters to dream big. He was a loving grandfather to his four grandchildren. Family gatherings brought Jim joy, and he and Sherry took many road trips to visit family members near and far. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Elizabeth Freeman. Survivors include his wife, Sharon (Sherry) Freeman; daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Kevin Freeman-Cook, and their children, Rachel and Katelyn Freeman-Cook; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Dominique de Vangel and their children, Nicholas and Isabelle de Vangel; and sisters, Carol Householder and Darlene Goens. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to support causes near to Jim’s heart: Great Falls Community Food Bank, Tennyson Center for Children, The Nature Conservancy, or Central Christian Church. A memorial service will be held August 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Central Christian Church in Great Falls. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.