Edward Dean Freeman

Edward Dean Freeman, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center on October 18, 2025. After 72 years of life, he is survived by his mother (Joyce), brother (Jack), sister (Leza), four sons (Brooks, Esteban, Eduardo, Cameron), beloved grandchildren and an extended network of relatives and friends. He will be deeply missed.

Dean, as he was known to go by, was born in the small town of Jesup, Georgia, on June 8, 1953. Those who raised him and saw him grow, I venture, might have easily described him as a precocious and verbose young lad. His budding language powers would develop and his ability to spark up a conversation with practically anyone, even in line at the grocery store, was not an uncommon occurrence. His infectious way of befriending someone and putting them at ease was probably one of those qualities that helped him as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army.

Apart from the over forty-two and a half years of service in the military, Dean had another long-lasting relationship, with biology. His childhood fascination with nature would take him all the way to Georgia Southern University, where he would graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Although he was not foreign to working in a lab, he was probably happiest in the field. So much so that he dedicated several years of his career to working as a Refuge Manager and a Special Agent for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

After leaving the Department of Interior, this Georgian at heart would return to his beloved state as a Biologist and Project Manager for the Army Corps of Engineers. It was during his time as a Project Manager that he began what many would say was his greatest hobby: painting portraits. For over 22 years Dean thoroughly enjoyed memorializing on canvas those he loved. Even after a devastating stroke in 2016, which left him unable to paint as he had once done, he still pursued this art which gave him the mode of expressing his love and esteem for those closest to his heart. One person in particular who received the greater portion of his affection was Christie, the love of his life for more than twenty years and who preceded him in death.

A memorializing of Dean’s life will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025. The funeral will take place from 10:30-11:45am at Coble Funeral and Cremation Service, located at 1155 Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington, North Carolina. His burial will follow immediately after the services at 12:00pm at Greenlawn Memorial Park, located right next to the funeral home. The family invites all who knew him to attend and share their favorite memories.

A Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul at a later date in Saint Marys, Kansas.