Ernest was born to Emery and Ida (Crouse) Freestone on October 6, 1936 in Vernal, a city in eastern Utah, where his grandfather George Freestone was sent by Brigham Young to create a settlement in the late 1800s. Ernest grew up in Vernal, spending many days playing with his cousin and good friend, Denny Campbell. One story he liked to share was how they would eat fruit from off of a neighbor’s tree, not caring much whether the fruit showed signs of worms. He also had a job running the movie projectors at the Vernal Theatre.
He graduated from Uintah High School in 1954, finished a year of college at BYU, then left in early 1957 to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the West German Mission. During his mission he taught F. Enzio Busche, who later became a general authority in the church. Throughout his life, Ernest served faithfully in many callings in the church.
After his mission, Ernest joined the U.S. Army where he served three years, followed by three years in the U.S. Army Reserves. During his time in the military he used his talent as a photographer and received training in motion picture photography.
Ernest furthered his education by attending the DeVry Technical Institute, where he received a degree in Communications in March of 1964, and by taking correspondence courses in color TV servicing in 1971, and electronics technology in 1973.
He met his wife, Pamela Durman, soon after she arrived from England in the summer of 1965. They were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on December 7 of that year. They went on to have five children together: Matt Freestone (Kellie), Sara Miles (Robert), David Freestone (Jennie), Rachel Freeman (Blake), and Miriam Hatch (Reed). He enjoyed being a grandfather to 15 grandchildren.
During his married life, Ernest worked in electronics: first for TeleMation, and then for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After retiring, he spent much of his time working with Pamela on genealogical research. They served together as Family History Consultants for their stake.
As his health began to deteriorate, Ernest spent his last few years living at Copper Ridge Health Care, a skilled nursing facility. He spent some of that time sharing a room with Pamela, who passed away one year and seven months to the day before he did. It is wonderful to know that the two of them are now reunited.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers (Melvin, Harold, Dallas), sisters (Dorothy and Lois) and one grandchild (Seth). He is survived by one sister, Doris.
There will be a private family viewing and graveside service on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City, Utah.
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