So many fond, fun memories with Tom at Sevier Heights helping cook and travel and cook at the Back to School functions 
Prayers for his family. He will be missed.... 

Tommy and I worked together for many years at U.T.
Great man and greatly missed.
My condolences to the family.

Captain Freels and I were not close, but it saddens me all the same to lose such a memorable person from our long-service UTPD community. John Matthew Esselburn #703

I met Poppa Freels at Sevier Heights Baptist  church, he saw me looking lost. He walked up to me and "Hello darlin, welcome!  From that day forward, every time I saw him, it a big hug and greeting, " Hi poppa"  "Hello darling or baby girl".
I have always felt the love of Jesus and Poppa  Freels conviction of his belief and redemption. I know he is dancing on the streets of gold and sitting at the table of his Lord and Savior

To the Family, I say I am so very sorry for your loss, and I will be praying for the family through this difficult time.

I remember the days we used to do laundry to help the residents of Montgomery Village.  Good memories. 
Prayers for the family.  

I was very fortunate to know Capt. Freels for the four years I was in the UT Band from 1994 to 1997.

In 1997, I served as the Pride of the Southland's Drum Major and had the honor to spend much more time with him as he looked after the hundreds of band members, band directors and me personally. 

He was a wonderful man who I and many others looked up to immensely. 

He loved the University of Tennessee and especially the band where he protected us and served with distinction for many decades.

He will be sorely missed and his memory cherished by all those that had the opportunity to know him.



Checking the temperature of sausage in the convection oven.

KCAB DR Mobile Kitchen Manager at RAM (Remote Area Medical) Free Clinic at Chilhowee Park - 2019.  Those are NOT boxing gloves.

Doughnut delivery to a chainsaw crew in Savannah, GA -  circa 2016

Dear Patty and Family,
Please know you are in our prayers.   Tom's presence in our class at church was bigger than life.  His devotion to helping others through serving Christ in our class and the church's ministry truly showed he had a servant's heart.  He will be missed; however, his witness will be felt by everyone's life he touched.    May God fill the void as only He can.
Sending love and prayers your way.    

Tommy was one of finest people I have ever know.  While I was at KPD I worked closely with him on planning security for UT Football game days.  He was ALWAYS happy with a smile on his face and very outgoing.  I am a better person because I knew Tommy and called him Friend!

God Bless.

Foster Arnett

I use to work with Tom in which I knew him as Lt. Tom Freels up to captain at The University of TN Police Department for the years he was there up until his retirement. He was so sweet and caring. He knew his stuff. My Dad knew him for many years before me. So sorry for your loss. Me along with The McGill family send our prayers and condolences to the family. May God be with you all. 

So sorry to hear of Tom passing.  My condolences to his family.  I truly enjoyed being around Tom until his retirement and missed him afterwards.

Wes Pursiful
University of Tenn - Telephone Services

Patti and family, 
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Tommy.  Our family has fond memories of him from our time at Sevier Heights.  He was always kind and considerate.  Heaven gets sweeter with the passing of our loved ones knowing we will meet again.  May you find comfort in the arms of Jesus during this time and in the days ahead.
Tom and Mitzi Garner
Megan Prettyman
Matthew Garner

Back around the spring of '95 I was dating Mr. Freels daughter Dawn. I was overseas in the military in Australia and giving no thought at all to the time difference I decided to call and tell her hello.  Mr. Freels promptly informed me of the time....it was about 2:30 in the morning in Tennessee. Lol We've laughed about it since and it's always been a funny and good memory for me. God Bless you Sir. Rest easy.

Tommy has touched so many lives and made such a difference to so many in his Christian service.  Truly one of a kind and always reaching out to those in need.  Keeping Patti, family and friends in our prayers.  He will be greatly missed 

Tom was an inspiration to us and everyone.  His great heart overflowed with compassion.  He was always there to help whenever there was a disaster.  He will be missed by all his friends in the Bible Fellowship group.  We can all be happy for him though, as he is now with his blessed Savior, and  we will all be together soon.  We will be remembering you, Patti, and all the family in prayer at this time of your loss.
Love in Christ

Tommy was such a precious man and he did so much for so many. I will never ever forget his kindness to me. There were many times I called for his help and he was always right there. That’s how he was. Always doing God’s work. Love and so many prayers to Patti and his sweet family! 🙏❤️

There are so many happy memories  I can't share just one. This man  the brother my husband never had. The family is my family. Love you all and will miss Tommy.

So sorry for your loss, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I am sure, Tom's godly example will continue to reach others as his legacy of serving lives on through those his life has touched.  May God richly bless you.
In Christ's love,
Charles and Susie Logan


Like Dana, Tim and many others, I was a "charter member" of the Funky Night Patrol.  I wrote and recorded a parody of Funky Cold Medina that contained verses for each officer on third shift .  When I played the song in roll call, Tom laughed until he cried.  Tom had one of those laughs that was contagious.  Whenever he laughed, everyone else in the room ended up laughing with him.  That's how I will always remember Tom, by his laughter.  He was also one of the most generous people I've ever known.  Rest in Piece, Tom.  Our prayers go out to his entire family.   The photo below is June Clanton and Tom at the UTPD Christmas party, December, 2000.



Tom was my partner in 1979 walking the strip on Cumberland and became a great friend.  Will miss him but memories are forever

Tom was right there for me when I first walked through the door in March of 1984.  In fact,  he treated me to lunch that day.  I will always remember him as generous, kind, witty (at times) and fair with all.  A true proven leader and mentor.  150 will never forget you, my Friend. 

I worked with Tom for several years at UTPD.  He was a great man and provided me with many opportunities. He was a dedicated leader that took great pride in his role of serving his officers, the students, the campus, and his family. He and Patty embraced my family and were always great to us.  I have missed Tom over the years but we did share Christmas cards each year. Sorry I have lost the opportunity to catch up one day. Tom will be missed by many. Prayers to Patty, the kids, grandkids, all of the family. 
Joe and Joi Sargent

I used to work with him At UTPD and I remember how the room would just light up when he walked in. He always had a smile and was so sweet and kind. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. 

Cousins Tommy and  Charles (Chuck) McMillan
November 2016
Lenoir City, TN

"Uncle" Tommy was my dad's first cousin, and I met him the first time in the mid 70's when he hosted a McMillan Family Reunion in Tennessee. I loved him and his family from our first meeting. Everyone loved Tommy, and he loved them back. He was so proud of his girls.

So many great memories flood my mind of the great times we had in Tennessee camping together. I could never imagine I had such a great extended family of great aunts, uncles, and cousins on my dad's side that I hadn't known before. But it was as if I had known them my entire life, and we had so much fun together. What a blessing to find that my family and young cousins had such great values. I am forever grateful for those reunions.

Tommy and I shared a faith in God and the knowledge that this life is not the end, but another chapter in God's glorious plan for us. We didn't get to spend a lot of time together here on earth, but I know I will see him again, and we will have the best family reunion of all. 

God bless Patti, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his entire family and friends. My condolences to you all.
Much love, ♥️
Debbie (McMillan) and Floyd Mason

*This photo is from November 2016 from Bettye McMillan Stamey's (my dad's sister) memorial in Lenoir City, TN.

Group photo L to R): Dotty McMillan (Chuck's wife), me, Debbie McMillan Mason, Tommy, and Chuck McMillan


Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.  We will remember all the great time we had on our band trips.

I was a member of POTS from 88-92.  I remember Officer Freels always being there when I needed him. After a FL vs TN game when FL had won but were still acting hostile toward the TN fans I caught up to Officer Freels walking out of the stadium.  He asked if I was scared? I said that as a freshman cymbal player I had never experienced anything like this and because people (friendly or not) like to tap on percussion instruments as they pass you, yes I was scared.  He told me to stay close to him and I'd be just fine. I walked out of a few stadiums next to him during my tenure and was never scared of a crowd again.   Officer Freels took amazing care of us and we loved him for it.  May you feel God's comfort and peace in your grieving journey as I felt peace next to Officer Freels.  Renee (Spivy) Morris

I worked with Tom on many Disaster Relief adventures. He was a friend, a mentor, and always a pleasure to work with. He will be missed.
Gary Cate

To Patti and family,
Our hearts are heavy with sadness at the loss of Tommy.  At the same time we know he is Heaven's gain.  As a neighbor and a member of our Sunday School Class, there could be no finer Christian man.  We loved to talk with him.  As is true in so many situations, sometimes we delay until it's too late to have a lot of good times together.  He had a personality and a laugh that were contagious.  A lot of friends are going to miss those times.  We will be remembering all of you during the days ahead the same as we have during the time since March.  You are in our prayers.

For the short time we knew Tommy was enough to know he was a very caring and loving man, I know he sure loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He and Patti open their home and hearts to my daughter Alexandria fox and her 2 baby girls and of course Ronnie. He will be greatly missed, rest in peace papaw.

OBITUARY

Thomas "Tommy" Eugene Freels

May 12, 1944 – July 31, 2020

Berry Funeral Home

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