John Freeman

Johnny Douglas Freeman, Sr., 79, returned to his heavenly home early Sunday morning March 11, 2018. Johnny was born Feb. 12, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to James and Pauline Freeman.

He grew up in the Nicoma Park, Oklahoma, area and graduated high school at Choctaw High School in 1957. He went on to attend Bible classes at Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Johnny married Carolyn June Freeman (Lipscomb) on Sept. 10, 1978, in Temple, Oklahoma, and they have made their home in Chickasha since that time.

Johnny served the Lord as a pastor for more than 51 years. He began his ministry at Newalla Baptist Church in 1967 and pastored Southwest Friendship in Oklahoma City, First Baptist Church Ninnekah, First Baptist Church Walters and Sharon Baptist Church in Chickasha. He founded Southern Hills Baptist Church in 1983 in Chickasha and pastored there for 27 years. After retirement, he served as an interim pastor at Canaan Baptist Church in Minco, Oklahoma, and SpringCreek Baptist Church in Gracemont, Oklahoma.

He loved the Lord and lived his faith. He had a heart for missions and led people to Christ in more than 50 countries. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and watching football.

He was welcomed to heaven by his parents and sister, Kathryn. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; five children, Pamela Freeman; Sherri Hall; Melody Henderson (Danny); John Freeman (Marla) of Oklahoma City; and Christie Freeman (Mathieu Szustak) of Brussels, Belgium; eight grandchildren, Jessica Pickle; Leah Freeman; Danielle McNatt (Austin) of Oklahoma City; Macy Henderson; Harrison Freeman; Hazel Freeman; Owen Szustak and Hollis Freeman; one great-grandson, Brady Wilson; brother Jimmy Freeman (Shirley) of Moore, Oklahoma; and sister, Mary Jo Rosenbaum (Kenneth) of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma, officiated by Rev. Bill Ashworth and John Freeman under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters, Oklahoma. Viewing will be held Tuesday from 1-7 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at McRay Funeral Home in Chickasha. Memorial donations may be made to the ministry of your choice.