James Donald Freed

James (Jim) Donald Freed, 81, of Dade City, Florida, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side. Born on June 25, 1943, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada, he was the beloved son of James and Angeline Freed. At the age of five, Jim’s family moved to the United States, where he built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure.

At just 15 years old, Jim met the love of his life, Fran Ostrander, when she was 14. Their love story spanned over six decades, culminating in 62 beautiful years of marriage after tying the knot on December 15, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan. Together, they built a family and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Jim attended graphic design school in Chicago, which led to a fulfilling career in graphic design and installation. His talent and dedication allowed him to own his own business, and his work took him on travels across the country. No matter where he went, he carried his love for his family and his passions with him.

An avid sports enthusiast, Jim found great joy in playing hockey as a child and later watching his great-grandson follow in his footsteps. He could often be found in the driveway shooting pucks with him. He loved all sports and could spend hours engaging with his grandkids in baseball, softball, soccer, football and more. Their games were his favorite pastimes, and he never missed an opportunity to cheer them on. He also had a passion for golf, enjoying time on the course and the camaraderie that came with the game.

Beyond sports, Jim had a deep love for the outdoors. Whether he was fishing or boating, he found peace on the water, with salmon fishing in Lake Michigan being one of his greatest joys. His happy place was in Florida, where he and Fran created a home filled with warmth and happiness.

Music was in Jim’s blood. As a child, he played the clarinet, saxophone, and drums, and as an adult, he never let a good song go by without tapping his foot or clapping his hands. His greatest love, second only to his family, was dancing with Fran—his one and only dance partner. The two of them searched for the best bands and the perfect dance floors, creating magical moments together with every song. Even in his later years, music would light up his soul, and he simply couldn’t sit still when a good tune played. Everyone enjoyed watching Jim and Fran holding hands or dancing together, a testament to their deep love and connection.

Jim had an unforgettable sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious. He loved to joke, tease, and even embarrass his granddaughters around boys, much to his amusement. He also loved playing card games with his wife and family, enjoying the friendly competition and shared laughter that came with every game. Jim was also a man who loved good food, always appreciating a great meal shared with loved ones. But above all, he was a man with a heart of gold—always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for his family were the foundation of his life.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James W. Freed and Angeline (Buzzie) Freed. He is survived by his loving wife, Fran Freed, and their children: Linda (Mike) Somerville, Laura (Mike) Jorgensen, Jim (Brenda) Freed, Tim (Stacy) Freed, and Ben (Tonya) Freed. He leaves behind a proud legacy through his grandchildren: Michael, Lindsay, Ryan, Nick, Jackie, Stacy, Stephanie, Ava, Austin, Abbie, Taylor, Benji, Lexi, and Royce, along with many great-grandchildren who brought him endless joy. Jim is also survived by his siblings: Jackie, Bobbi, Jane, Debi, and Glen, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

Jim’s life was one well-lived, filled with love, adventure, and laughter. His presence will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know and love him.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor at a later date, where family and friends will come together to share stories, laughter, and, of course, great music.