Paul Gene Freeman

Paul G. Freeman, a resident of Muskogee, died Monday, December 27, 2010 in Tulsa at the age of 80. He was born November 27, 1930 in Okfuskee County to William Henry Freeman and Maude Leora (Henderson) Freeman. Paul was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the United States Army. He was devoted to serving his country and taking care of his fellow veterans. He was a life member of the DAV Chapter 32, a DAV Past State Commander, a 32nd Degree Mason with Scottish Rite and Past Master of the Eastgate Lodge. He was also a member of the Bedouin Shrine, past Master and perpetual member of Tulledega Masonic Lodge #201 in Henryetta and a member of the Muskogee Church of Christ. For 18 years, he served on the Commission of Oklahoma War Veteran's, also serving as Chairman for several of those years. He was a member of the VFW Tulsa Post 577 and the Tulsa American Legion Post 1. Paul married the love of his life, Lawanda Durbin and spent over 60 memorable years together and had three beautiful children. He is preceded in death by his parents; Four brothers: Hartsell Freeman, Calvin Freeman, James Robert Freeman, and William (Junior) Freeman; Two sisters, Louise Livingstone and Judy Gobin. He is survived by his wife Lawanda (Durbin) Freeman; Three children: Paula Schafer of Broken Arrow, Vickie Coughlin of Allen, TX Terry Freeman and wife Karen of Muskogee, OK; Six grandchildren: SFC Justin Schafer and wife Caroline of Ft.Campbell, KY, Dr. Sarah Turner and husband Larry of Tulsa, Alexandria Grey of Portland, OR, April Rivers of Allen, TX, Joel Coughlin of San Antonio, TX, Heather Freeman of Muskogee, OK Seven great-grandchildren Four brothers: Orville Freeman, Doug Freeman, Billy Freeman, and Gary "Smokey" Freeman all of Henryetta, OK; Four sisters: Mary Ellis and Linda Niklas of Henryetta, OK, Margaret Viersen of Morris, OK and Lois Watson of Citrus Heights, CA. He is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. Serving as pallbearers will be: Johnny Durbin, James Durbin, Billy Freeman, Gary "Smokey" Freeman, Billy Durbin, and John David Freeman. Honorary pallbearers will be Joel Coughlin, Justin Schafer, and Terry Garroutte. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Dewar First Baptist Church in Dewar, OK, with Rev. Jack Vance officiating. Interment will follow at the Westlawn Cemetery, under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.