Mike Freeman, of McKinney, Texas, passed away on November 29, 2022, at the age of 87. He was born on June 3, 1935, to Jim and Hazel Freeman in El Dorado, Arkansas. He married Louise Freeman on August 21, 1955, in Stephens, Arkansas. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in McKinney Texas.
Mike grew up in Mt. Holly, Arkansas, where he met and fell in love with a beautiful redhead who lived in a small, neighboring town. He could often be seen walking or hitching a ride along the Mt. Holly-Stephens Highway for date nights with the beauty, who would soon become his wife. They tied the knot after finishing school and just a year later welcomed their first daughter. A spirited soul, Mike moved his young family to Denver, where the first of his life’s many adventures began. There, he became a skilled pilot of both single and twin-engine planes (much to the dismay of his wife, Louise), was the financial steward of a start-up oil company in his role as CFO, and welcomed two more girls, bringing the family total to five. A man of many talents, he even made time to build a stable, complete with an onery, but beloved horse, much to the delight of three very excited little girls!
Ready for a new chapter, Mike put Colorado in the rearview mirror, moving the family to DeSoto, Texas, before permanently settling in McKinney. His lust for adventure never waned, taking to water skiing on nearby lakes, bass fishing with his (always lucky) handmade lures, and exploring sites near and far in his home-away-from-home Winnebago.
Mike’s exuberant, warm nature made him the type of person people wanted to be around. The type of person who leaves behind a legacy of ‘classic Mike’ stories; each more charming than the last. Mike’s generosity of spirit was not lost on anyone, least of all his grandkids, the lucky recipients of coveted ‘woof-woof’ cards, hand drawn for special occasions. To his grandkids, “Big Dog” will be remembered for many things, but perhaps none more endearing than his surprising love of dancing, which only revealed itself at family weddings.
There was another ongoing love in Mike’s life, his younger brother Robert. These two brothers shared a bond that was as tight as it was rare. This obituary wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the best little buddy any brother could have.
Mike is survived by his daughters, Mary Catherine Jones and husband, Robert, of McKinney, Texas, Candace Louise Tisdell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Carey Elizabeth Haynes and husband, Byron, of McKinney, Texas; brother, Robert Freeman and wife, Linda, of Mt. Holly, Arkansas; grandchildren, Tyler Tisdell and wife, Anne, of Washington, D.C., Taylor Walker and husband, Patrick, of Washington, D.C., Maddie Hobbs and husband, Dominic, of McKinney, Texas, and Connor Jones of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Mitchel Walker, Ava Walker, Violet Hobbs, and numerous other loving family and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Freeman, and loving parents, Jim and Hazel Freeman.
Mike’s generosity and adventurous spirit will be forever missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
A celebration of life, for both Mike and Louise, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, 315 N. Church St., McKinney, Texas 75069.