Gary Freeman, 81 of Montezuma passed away Saturday morning, December 18, 2021 at the Brooklyn Community Estates in Brooklyn. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Gary Lynn Freeman, the son of Everett Freeman and Dorothy (Tubbs) Freeman Groves, was born on November 1, 1940 in Anamosa, Iowa. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School and then attended William Penn University, where he played football until he had an injury. Gary was married to Karen Davis in 1959. To this union three children were born, Tammy, Jeff and Tom. They were later divorced. Gary was a contractor and a very talented builder. He owned and operated his own construction company in Oskaloosa before moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1978 where he took a job with the Cartwright School district as the head of building and  maintenance. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved life on the water. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting in his younger years.

Gary's legacy will be honored by his children, Tammy (Tom) Petersen of Montezuma and Jeff (Beckie) Freeman of Montezuma; five grandchildren, Travis (Danielle) Freeman, Heather Freeman, Molly Freeman, Luke Freeman and Courtney Petersen along with several great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Freeman; mother and step father, Dorothy (John) Groves; a brother, Roger Freeman; a son, Tom Freeman and a step brother, Ike Groves.