January 17, 1948 - September 19, 2023
Richard Allen Freeman of Stockton Ca, passed away surrounded by family at his home on September 19th, 2023 at the age of 75 after a long and hard fought battle with cancer.
Richard was born on January 17th, 1948 in French Camp Ca, to Hope Inez (Woods) Freeman and Jack Kellas Freeman.
He Graduated from Bret Harte Highschool in June of 1966. Thanks to a scholarship from Pepsi, he attended San Joaquin Delta College, where he graduated with honors in 1968 earning his Associates of Arts degree in Electrical Engineering. He then attended Sac State for one year majoring in Electronics.
In 1969 Richard began his nursing career at Bret Harte Hospital in Murphys, Ca. It was during that time that he met Leona Padayhag, whom he married on August 23rd, 1970 in Murphys Ca. They made their first home in Angels Camp, Ca, while Richard returned to school. In 1973 he graduated once again from Delta earning his Registered Nurse Degree as well as passing that State Boards.
In 1974 Richard and Leona Moved to Stockton after he was transferred from Bret Harte Hospital to San Joaquin General. He worked at San Joaquin General until retiring on February 6th, 2004.
Their son Robert William Freeman was born in 1975.
Richard and Leona were members of both the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA). on their burgundy 1983 Honda 1100cc Aspencade Gold Wing Motorcycle, he and Leona toured 10 western states, Canada and Mexico.
Richard had many hobbies including bowling, city league softball, assisting their son in Little League, fishing, keeping freshwater and salt water fish in 7 aquariums, raising koi, gardening, candle making, oil painting, calligraphy, woodworking, machine embroidery, ceramics, hand tooling leather, playing drums in a rock band, playing guitar in a country - western gospel band, piano, photography, computers, model trains and together they also worked on genealogy research of both families as well as helping many others.
Richard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Leona (Padayhag) Freeman of Stockton, Ca, son Robert William Freeman, granddaughter Sadie Simone Freeman and grandson Jack Coltrane Valerio Freeman of Vancouver, Canada; sisters Mrs. Carol Walton of West Point Ca, and Mrs. Charlene Blank (David) of Angels Camp, Ca; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of San Joaquin
SERVICE
A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.
RECEPTION
A reception potluck will follow right after the service at Summerplace Social Center, located at 8318 Manhattan Drive, Stockton, CA 95210.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Freeman family.