Charles Van Freeman

Charles Van "Chuck" Freeman, formerly of North Little Rock, Ark. died on February 14, 2011. He was 86 years old. He was born in Harrisburg, Arkansas to Mr. Ewell H. Freeman and Lucille Vandiver Freeman on November 23, 1924. Both parents are now deceased. He graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1942 and the following Monday he enrolled at Arkansas Tech in Russellville. However World War II was in full swing and young men were being drafted. So, before that happened he joined the Naval Air Force. He served in the Navy for two and half years and when discharged, he entered The University of Arkansas and graduated with a degree in geology and chemistry. After graduation he did geologic library research at The University of Arkansas, The University of New Mexico and The Colorado School of Mines. He was employed in petroleum geology in Wyoming and aluminum mining in Arkansas. Later he accepted a position as a Chief exploration geologist and did exploration work in North Africa, Europe, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Central and South America. On one of his trips back home he met his future wife, Mary Jo Strickland and they were married in 1955. They had one son; Charles Van Freeman Jr. and lost one son at birth. His wife died August 17, 2005 after 50 years of marriage. He leaves his soon Charles Van Freeman, Jr. and his wife Becky of Flower Mound, Texas. A brother, Dr. Robert King Freeman of Hot Springs, Ark., and three sisters; Mrs. JW Fullerton of North Littler Rock, Ark.; Mrs. George Carpenter of West Memphis, Ark. and Mrs. Shirley Foust of Jonesboro, Ark.; and two grandchildren, Megan Ashley Freeman and her husband, David Englefield of Bristol, England and Cortney Van Freeman and Lyndsey Jaresh of Grapevine, Texas. A Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 J.F.K. Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. (501-791-7400). Relatives and friends are invited to comment on their experience related to Mr. Freeman. Online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.