IN MEMORY OF A MAGNIFICENT MAN | Charles Pace Freeman, Jr. – 1939-2011
Charles Pace Freeman, Jr., the only child of Charles Pace Freeman, Sr., and Maude Wood Freeman, was born on February 27, 1939. He passed away on July 31, 2011, from pancreatic cancer. A fourth-generation Dallasite, Charles would proudly tell the story of how his forebear rode on horseback to bring the charter for Dallas from Austin. He grew up in Sunny Brook Estates in Preston Hollow, an area his grandfather helped to develop and build.
Freeman graduated from Greenhill School where he was affectionately known as "Choo-Choo." He attended the University of Oklahoma, then served in the Texas Air National Guard. He worked for and later purchased Claire Gillon Realtors creating Charles Freeman Realtors, which served the Park Cities and near-North Dallas areas. In 1993, he merged with Ben R. Briggs Real Estate forming Briggs Freeman Real Estate Brokerage, where he was president. In 2010, Freeman became president emeritus of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty. Throughout his 46-year career he was known for his integrity and detailed knowledge of the business. He was awarded the Rose Award for Service in 2008. The associates in his firm admired and revered him, both for his constant concern and support as well as his wry sense of humor. In addition to fulfilling his executive duties, he loved helping others work deals, photographing listings and running his free shuttle service to DFW.
Charles Freeman was well known for being a man of great principle and character. He was honored professionally by being elected to serve for three years as director of the Greater Dallas Association of Realtors Board. He also served as chairman of the Multiple Listing Service. He served on numerous other professional real estate organizations, including the MLS Standards of Practice Committee and Rainmakers.
Freeman loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an avid sportsman. His adventuresome spirit never diminished. He earned his pilot's license at age 16, owned several aerobic airplanes, and flew in local air shows. He was passionate about dove hunting, fly fishing in Colorado on the Taylor River, and windsurfing in Corpus Christi and Bonaire. He loved riding motorcycles and toured Europe twice on a motorcycle with friends. In his 60s, he learned to roller blade. He especially enjoyed sharing these activities with his sons. His other interests included owning precision vacuum cleaners; driving a Kubota grass mower; having an immaculately clean car; and tall, willowy blondes.
He was a long-time member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, proudly serving as an acolyte. He also served on the advisory board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for over 18 years. He was a commandeur of the Dallas-Ft.Worth Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and a member of the Dallas Knife and Fork Club, the White Rock Sailing club (the Corinthian Sailing Club), and the Petroleum Club. He loved the drama of opera and was a member of the Kimball Museum of Art. He was also a Freemason.
Freeman is survived by his wife Sarah Freeman; his sons by his first wife Nancy Dial Crisler (deceased), Troy Chancellor Freeman and his wife Jennifer Hoose Freeman, and Preston Dial Freeman; stepchildren by his second wife Linda Wyatt Freeman (deceased), Herbie Deer and Traci Deer Harrell and her husband Will; and stepchildren by his last wife Sarah, Clayton Smith and his wife Erin Dowling Smith and Stuart Smith.
His family, friends, and business associates will sorely miss this handsome man with the beautiful smile and shining personality.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org)
