From: Norb Ryan
Date: Sep 4, 2013 3:15:11 PM
Subject: CAPT Don Freese, USNR (Ret)
Dear MOAA Retiree and Alumni,
General Tilelli has asked me to inform you that CAPT Don Freese,
USNR (Ret) passed away yesterday afternoon. He will be sorely
missed. Don was a long-time MOAA Life Member with an incredible record of
distinguished leadership at MOAA and in other endeavors. A 1963 graduate
of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served in a wide variety of leadership positions
on active duty and in the Naval Reserve. In addition to his BS degree
from the Navy Academy, he earned both a Master of Science and an MBA from
Binghamton University followed by a JD degree from Chase College of Law, Northern
Kentucky University. He was licensed to practice law in Kentucky and
Ohio.
Don is known best to all of us through his record of service and
leadership in MOAA. After holding several key leadership positions in the
St. Petersburg Area Chapter, he served as the Chapter President. He
chaired the Florida Council of Chapters Conventions in 2006 and 2009, followed
by service as Vice Chair and Chairman of the Florida Council of Chapters.
While serving the Florida Council, he personally visited all 41 Florida
chapters and many other chapter and chapter and council meetings in New York,
Kentucky, Ohio, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Georgia. He was elected to
the MOAA National Board in 2012 and served on the Council and Chapter Affairs
Committee, where his extensive experience in both chapter and council
leadership positions proved invaluable and contributed directly to
strengthening our Chapter system.
Don is survived by his wife, Sherry, his son, Marc, and daughter
Michelle. Sherry has been one of MOAA’s most active spouses and has been
heavily involved in supporting MOAA activities at the local, state, and
national levels. For those who would like to express your condolences to
Sherry, Sherry’s address is: 4613 Mirabella Court, St. Petersburg Beach,
FL 33706-2576.
Funeral arrangements are still being planned, but we know that
there will be a service for Don on Monday, September 9th at the
Paradise Lutheran Church, 10255 Paradise Boulevard, Treasure Island,
Florida. The time and other details are to be determined. I will
notify you as soon as I have them. Please feel free to pass this on to
other MOAA members who wish to convey their condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sherry and her family.
Norb