Obituary for Nelson Anthony Freeman
Nelson Anthony Freeman departed this life on January 1, 2020 after an extended illness. He was born June 20, 1939 in Ann Arbor, MI at the University of Michigan Hospital to Louis Anthony Freeman and Leonia Mae (Francois) Freeman, who preceded him in death. His brother Kyle Freeman also preceded him in death. Nelson grew up in Ypsilanti where he attended the Ypsilanti schools. After graduation from Ypsilanti High School, he enlisted in the Navy. Upon completing his service in the Navy where he trained as a Dental Technician, he returned to Ypsilanti and enrolled in Cleary College while working for the Ford Motor Company. With a desire to continue his education in Dental Technology, he then enrolled at the Elkhart Institute of Technology in Elkhart, Indiana where he received his certification as a Dental Technician. After graduation he accepted a position as a Dental Technician at the Shipman Dental Lab in Worcester, Massachusetts where he applied his trade. He returned to the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area in 1970 with his family, and soon after opened Freeman Dental Lab in Ypsilanti. The Lab was in operation for twenty years (1970 – 1990). After closing the lab in Ypsilanti he managed the Crown and Bridge department for a Lansing Dental Laboratory. Later he accepted a position in the Crown and Bridge department at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor; he retired in 2012.
It was a life changing experience for Nelson when he declared as a Baha’i in 1965. He became a devoted and active member of the Faith and participated in a number of groups and activities with them. Two of his favorite activities were parking cars on football Saturdays with fellow Baha’is while making friends with the clientele, and Coffee House on the last Friday of the month where friends were welcomed and invited to share their talents, or enjoy the performances of others and have fun. He was passionate about his service to the Baha’i Faith and remained so until the end.
In his retirement he also remained active by traveling, taking classes at the senior centers in Pittsfield and Ypsilanti where he was also an exercise and dance instructor. He took guitar classes and was part of a Harmonica Band. Being the family genealogist he became a member of the The Black History Museum of Ann Arbor and The Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society in Detroit.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 53 years, Jean (Staples) Freeman and two sons: Marvin Freeman, (Deborah) Manassas, VA and Anthony Freeman, Warren, MI. Three granddaughters: Maya Bricio-Freeman of Ypsilanti; Tiffany Freeman of Denver, CO and Kiana Freeman of Colorado Springs, CO. There are many more relatives and friends that will miss his beautiful spirit.
In lieu of flowers, make a donation to the Peace Neighborhood Center, 1111 N. Maple Rd,
Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
It was a life changing experience for Nelson when he declared as a Baha’i in 1965. He became a devoted and active member of the Faith and participated in a number of groups and activities with them. Two of his favorite activities were parking cars on football Saturdays with fellow Baha’is while making friends with the clientele, and Coffee House on the last Friday of the month where friends were welcomed and invited to share their talents, or enjoy the performances of others and have fun. He was passionate about his service to the Baha’i Faith and remained so until the end.
In his retirement he also remained active by traveling, taking classes at the senior centers in Pittsfield and Ypsilanti where he was also an exercise and dance instructor. He took guitar classes and was part of a Harmonica Band. Being the family genealogist he became a member of the The Black History Museum of Ann Arbor and The Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society in Detroit.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 53 years, Jean (Staples) Freeman and two sons: Marvin Freeman, (Deborah) Manassas, VA and Anthony Freeman, Warren, MI. Three granddaughters: Maya Bricio-Freeman of Ypsilanti; Tiffany Freeman of Denver, CO and Kiana Freeman of Colorado Springs, CO. There are many more relatives and friends that will miss his beautiful spirit.
In lieu of flowers, make a donation to the Peace Neighborhood Center, 1111 N. Maple Rd,
Ann Arbor, MI 48103.