Services for David Leonard Freeman, 61, of Byars will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 at Ada First Baptist Church, Rev. Harold Ware and Rev. Lewis Perry will officiate.  Burial will follow at Byars Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 5 to 7:00 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Freeman died Sunday, December 1, 2024 at a Pauls Valley Hospital.  He was born October 29, 1963 in Ada to Leonard Calvin and Martha Ann Newbern Freeman.

David attended school at Stratford, he graduated in 1981 and went on to study at East Central University. He was previously married and had two children, Elizabeth Ann and David Cash. On July 18, 2009 David married Cecilia Ann Smith in Stratford. While married for 14 years they have spent almost 20 wonderful years together.

A third-generation rancher, David was in the cattle business with his mother, Martha Freeman. While they were "partners", it was clear that Martha was the boss. He spent his whole life devoted to enriching the land and cattle operation, started by his mother and his grandfather, P.A. Newbern, in the late 1930's.

David lived life to the fullest. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at ECU, when I say thoroughly, I mean everything that word could possibly imply. He may have been a fifth-year freshman... He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity which yielded many lifelong memories and friendships.

David was a member of the Stratford Round-Up Club from childhood. It was a family affair, starting with his parents, to his children and eventually to his Granddaughter Evyn Ann. The Stratford Rodeo was a tradition and a highlight of the year. In fact, that is where he met, and evidently impressed a certain, Cecilia Smith, they eventually got married on Saturday of the Stratford Rodeo. The third weekend in July will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who shared this time with David.

David would often joke about being the mayor of Johnsonville, for those of you not familiar with the area, that is a suburb of Byars. All who traveled through the area would know to call David for a flat tire, an empty fuel tank or even stuck in the South Canadian. He would gladly drop what he was doing to come to the rescue, he was often referred to as Super Dave..

The Freeman name has been synonymous in Gavin and McClain County for years. From the Freeman's Store on Main Street in Stratford, to Freeman Farms of Byars, David worked very hard to ensure this legacy would be preserved.

David loved his family, friends and communities, he never met a stranger. He was often the first one to offer a help hand, an encouraging word and always a friendly smile.

Survivors include his wife, Cecilia Freeman, of the home; son, Cash Freeman and wife Jessica of Ada; daughter Elizabeth Dempsey and husband Branum of Stratford; step-son, Jason Rendleman and wife Misty of Shawnee; sister, Lynne Ann Freeman and Jason Robnett of Sacramento, CA; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Leonard Freeman.

Bearers will be Kirk Moore, Zane Schuler, Jeff Stevenson, Sam Smith, Toby Ellis and Todd Menges. Honorary bearers will be Andy Freeman, Johnny Mann, Bobby Freeman, Mark Hill, Charlie Williams, Mark Rogers, Jason Robnett, Grant Ward and Brandon Rayburn.