Tributes

Loren Alfred Freeby – born Aug. 5, 1916 to Era and Hattie Beaver Freeby, their only child in Barnes, Kansas. His family moved from Barnes, to Big Cabin Ok. about 1932 just prior to his senior yr. at Barnes High School. As a young man he worked with his family's produce business and later with their automobile repair shop in Big Cabin, OK. He married Elsie Miller May 21, 1938 before her senior year in high school. Byron O. Freeby, son was born to this union in July 1940. In 1945 Loren went to Tulsa Ok, and worked on aircraft on the flight line. He said that was when he lost his hearing. He was inducted into the United States Marines in June of 1945 and trained at Camp Lejune, S.C. He was shipped to Japan in 1946 but on the way over the Armistice was signed so he returned home in August 1946. He stated in one of his letters how he missed his family. Elsie and Byron lived in Oceanside, California until his return. They moved to Barnes Kansas in 1948 as after the war, jobs were hard to find and his uncle Byron S. Freeby who resided in Barnes, Ks. needed help with his Windmill and Home Oil Company businesses. He ran the tank wagon to farmers for many years. Home Oil Company sold Skelly Oil products. He also helped his uncle buy and sell 'junk' as he called it. The metal they sold for scrap, his uncle also sold antique furniture and household goods. Up until he moved to an assisted living facility to have better care for his wife Elsie he loved to 'junk' as he called it. He could dismantle almost anything and come up with parts he'd save to possibly fix something else. He also loved to sort nuts, bolts, nails, screws you name it and he had dozens of can of the stuff. Much of it very rust coated. He was a child of the depression so he never threw anything away. Maybe God has a junk pile that needs to be sorted! In 1948 their daughter Loretta was born. They resided in Barnes Kansas until 1982 when they sold their home in Barnes and moved to San Antonio, Tx. to be near their daughter and son who both resided there with their families. They enjoyed many years of traveling in their RV while in Kansas as well as after they moved to Texas reacquainting with friends and family far and wide. These past years in an Assisted Living facility have been hard on Loren, especially since the passing of his wife Elsie in August 2009. Loren always enjoyed Elsie's family's gatherings. She came from a family of 9 so these were huge gatherings. Since he was an only child and his Uncle True and family moved to Washington State, he rarely saw his family. His Father died in 1955 and he always assumed he'd follow that pattern! He was always surprised he lived so long. He retired when he was 55 so he could travel and enjoy life without the worry and constraints of a regular job. He was preceded in death by his parents, Era & Hattie Freeby and his wife of 71 years, Elsie Miller Freeby. Several of Elsie's Brothers and sisters, as well as several nieces. He leaves behind his Daughter Loretta Freeby Montgomery Donaubauer and her husband Doug Donaubauer, of San Antonio, Granddaughter Sherry Montgomery Theiss and husband Quentin Theiss, Great grandsons Bradley, & wife Brittanie Theiss, their children, Great-Great Grandchildren, Logan Wraight & Valerie Theiss, Great Grandson Blake and wife Ashley Theiss, their child, Great-great Grandson, Gavin Theiss, Great Grandson Brandon Theiss, and his daughter Great-great Granddaughter Brenley Theiss Bjork, and Great Granddaughter Brookl'n Theiss all of San Antonio, Grandson, Jeff Montgomery and wife Elaine of Cibolo, TX. and children David Yassen & wife and Tyler Allen of Cibilo. Step Grandchildren Steven Donaubauer and Mandy Donaubauer Powell, her children Chase Kozekwa and Brianna Saldivar. His son Byron O. Freeby and wife Beth Poersch Freeby, Granddaughter Denise Freeby Cleveland and her husband Dave Cleveland, their children, Great Grandson, Daniel Cleveland and wife Celeste Cleveland, and Great Grandson Drew Cleveland. Grandson Gregg Freeby and wife Joetta Freeby of Austin, Tx. their daughter, Great Granddaughter, Claire Freeby of Austin, Tx. He is survived by his cousin Coburn Freeby and wife Janice of Oceanside, Wa., His brother-in-law, Archie and wife Carol Miller of Gordon, TX., Sister-in-law Jo Miller of Vinita, Ok., and Brother-in-law Glenn & wife Betty Miller of Broken Arrow, Ok and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tributes

Loren Alfred Freeby

August 5, 1916 - March 20, 2015