Kevin Freeman

Kevin wasn't looking forward to getting his wings. He saw Heaven as a place where he would get his legs. An accident at the age of 7 robbed him of the ability to walk, and a later illness made him an amputee.

But Kevin's life, as challenged as it was, was an example of courage, strength and endurance to all who knew him. We watched, amazed, as he went through life as if nothing would stop him.

Not everything worked. He tried a year of college. He partnered in a restaurant that lasted a few months. He was even the first in the area to try a new-fangled motorcycle for paraplegics, which he crashed in a practice run. A lesson to us all, he simply brushed off his failures and moved on to the next thing.

He leaves behind a catalogue of side-splitting memories. His quirky and often inappropriate sense of humor and his questionable gift-giving is the stuff of family legend. The day before he died, his family gathered around his bed to drag out all the old stories, making sure he left this Earth with more laughter than tears.

Kevin loved sports and was a Browns and Indians fan. He loved treating friends to movies and concerts. He loved vacations, and dining out. He wrote poetry (yes, it made his family cringe) and he always talked about wanting to write a book that was locked inside his mind.

He was a loving son, a loyal brother, and an extremely proud uncle. He also had a remarkable knack for making friends. Some of his most treasured relationships came from servers and clerks he saw regularly. He was kind, generous, and forever changed the lives of those who took the time to get to know him.

Kevin, who lived in Cuyahoga Falls, is survived by his parents, Jerry and Susanna Freeman of Bath Township; his twin brother Dan (Amy) Freeman of Cuyahoga Falls, and older brother Tom Freeman (Julie) of Jacksonville, Florida; his nephews Caleb and Ryan; Kashe, Quentin an his niece Emma, -and adopted Family Member Krista Griffin.

He is also leaving behind numerous aunts, uncles, close friends and other family members.

Calling hours will be Wednesday June 4, 2014 at 6 to 8 pm Services directly at 8pm after viewing hours.

Arrangements under the direction of Catavolos Funeral Home, Fairlawn, OH.