Stanley D. Freed

Stanley (Stan) D. Freed of Chester, 81, went to join the Grand Architect of the Universe on January 4, 2016. He was born, at home, on August 10, 1934, in Swan, Indiana (Noble Co.), to the late Leonard Deverl and Mary Kathryn Freed. Stan was married December 6, 1953, in the Friends Church of Amboy, Indiana, to Joyce Lee Green, who survives him. He graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, IN, with a BS degree in Education in 1955 and a MS Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University in 1959. Stan taught school for 13 years and was an Elementary School Principal, before leaving to join Horace Mann Insurance Co. for 13 years. He began his insurance career as multi-line agent, was promoted to State Manager of Wisconsin for four years, then joined the home office in Springfield, IL, where he was the head of Manpower Development, directing the training of all agents and managers for the company. He was then promoted to Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Zone and moved to Virginia, where he supervised eight agencies and numerous agents from North Carolina to Maine. Stan left this position in 1978, due to not wanting to move “again”, worked as an independent insurance agent for a few years, and then joined the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance for 13 years, retiring in 1999. From his boyhood 4H days until just a few years ago, he raised, showed and judged rabbit shows all over the US and Canada. He raised some 16 breeds, over the years, and won national sweepstakes with two breeds. The family had many fond memories of traveling to rabbit shows and meeting new friends. He was a long time member of Chester United Methodist Church, having served in various capacities over the years as a Sunday school teacher, usher and Finance Committee member. He was a 32nd degree Mason and life member of the Chester Masonic Lodge No. 94 and served as Worshipful Master in 2008 & 2014. Stan also belonged to the ACCA Temple Shrine and Scottish Rite and previously had been a 25 year plus member of the Chester Civitan Club, having served as president three different terms. He also was a life member of Phi Delta Kappa, honorary educational fraternity. Besides his wife of 62 years, Stan is survived by four children, Vicki Lynn Stamps and husband, Pete, Gregory Alan Freed and wife, Sharon, Cindy Lea Dance and husband, Steve, Steven Mark Freed and wife, Debbie; seven grandchildren, Joshua Adam Stamps and wife, Jenni, Sarah Michelle Grubb and husband, Chris, Bonnie Joyce Dance, Emily Christine Dance, Mark Alan Freed and wife, Nikki, Julie Nicole Watson and husband, Ronnie, and Kathryn Elizabeth James and husband, Matthew; eight great-grandchildren, Charlie Abigail Stamps, Aiden Cole Freed, Audrey June Freed, Nolan Patrick Walker, Jaxon Lewis Watson, Addison Leigh Grubb, Scarlett Odell Grubb and Bailey Reese James, all of Chesterfield; brother, Paul Dean Freed and his wife, Mary Ann of Warsaw, IN; sister-in-law, Phyllis Green of Kokomo, IN; and several uncles, aunts and cousins. A visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 10th at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son with Masonic Rites beginning at 2:15 pm. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 11th at Chester United Methodist Church with interment to follow in Dale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Chester UMC, 12132 Percival St, Chester, VA, 23831, or Chester Masonic Lodge No. 94, P.O. Box 2905, Chester, VA, 23831-8477, or The American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct, Glen Allen, VA, 23060. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .