Obituary of Kenneth Freede

Kenneth R. Freede, 89, of South Ridge Rd., East died early Thursday morning, January 7, 2021 at ACMC with his family around him, after a valiant 4-week fight against Covid-induced pneumonia. "Kenny" was born May 18, 1931 in Ashtabula, the son of John Kay and Effie (Brown) Freede. The youngest of 11 siblings, he lived his early years in Austinburg and attended Ashtabula High School until enlisting in the US Army in 1949 as an ambulance driver and automotive maintenance technician stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia. After 3 years and an honorable discharge, Kenny returned to the Willoughby area for work but spent weekends in Jefferson where he met his future wife Anne E. Hayes while riding his horse past her house. Feeling this encounter was love-at-first-sight, Anne ran out to greet him and they began a courtship which culminated in marriage soon after on August 27, 1955. They had 2 daughters and 2 sons, one of which, Timothy R., was born with developmental disabilities requiring daily care which Kenny was involved with all along until his recent hospitalization in December 2020. His selfless devotion to Anne and commitment to family was deeply admired by all who knew him. Once settled in Ashtabula, Kenny worked as maintenance "go-to-guy" at Detrex Corporation (with several name changes up to Ashta Chemicals) on Middle Road from 1965 until his retirement in 1993. During his employment, Kenny explored many hobbies and pursuits such as motorcycling, learning to SCUBA dive in Lake Erie, and Skeet shooting at his favorite weekend haunt the Ashtabula Rod and Gun Club. For over 25 years, Kenny was such a constant fixture as Skeet Chairman that after being named a Lifetime Member, the range was officially renamed as the Ken Freede Skeet Range. Kenny spent his free time honing his machining and welding skills by creating a steel pontoon boat big enough to host a multitude of family members and strong enough to withstand choppy Lake Erie waters. Additionally, he studied mechanical engineering and acquired enough skill to create his own metal and woodworking lathes, power tools, and a fully operational replica of an early Model T Ford. Kenny was affectionately known as "The Professor" around the neighborhood and word of his tooling skills traveled quickly with the recommendation; "Take it to Kenny, he can fix anything". While metal was his preferred medium, he was also talented with woodworking and could quickly fashion a wooden toy by whittling a fallen sycamore branch into a truck, train or whistle. Kenny loved reading and watching Westerns as well as spy novels. His favorite music styles were Big Band Swing, preferably Benny Goodman and Count Basie, as well as Banjo-centered Bluegrass and any type of Polka. Most of all, Kenny was the most patient, thoughtful and humorous man anyone would have been lucky to know. We are comforted in knowing through his Christian Faith that he is now reunited with his many fishing-minded brothers, sisters and parents for another great Freede Family Fishing excursion in Heaven. He is survived by his wife Anne; four children, Lori Freede of Seminole, FL, Timothy Freede of Ashtabula, Judy (Ron) Dawes of Ashtabula, and Ron Freede of Ashtabula; eight grandchildren, Erica Schulman, Tor Eastlake, Mandy Chartier, Nathan Eastlake, Ember Eastlake, Kylie Marsh, Megan Keeler, and Jacob Smith; 19 great-grandchildren, Joshua, Ethan, Julie, Kalli, Jayla, Nevaeh, Tor, Brayden, Talynn, Ava, Cole, Quinn, Cameron, Camille, Matthew, Jason, Anthony, Adriana, and Harlee; and a sister-in-law, Norma Freede. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Del, Guy, and Glen Sloan, Arnold, Chester, Christian and Heber Freede; and his sisters, Alda Burgoon, Velma Vitt, and Jessie Freede. Due to Covid precautions, a private family service will be held in the chapel at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, N. Kingsville with Rev. Neroy Carter, close family friend, officiating a small ceremony. For those who knew Kenny and wish to be involved in remembering him as well, the family wants to extend an invitation to a forthcoming Celebration of Life service to be tentatively held this June. Flowers are welcomed as well as contributions to the American Lung Association, PO BOX 11039, Lewiston, ME 04223-9409. Online guestbook and condolences available at www.ducro.com Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements.