Anthony Lee Freeman went home to be with his Lord on August 13, 2026, just two days shy of his 73rd birthday.  He was born August 15, 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona to Sara and Ed Freeman.  He was the youngest of eight  children.  He passed while in the care of Hospice at  the Ida Emmerson Hospice House in Eureka.

He is survived by his three kids.  Sons Todd Freeman (and his wife Sylvia), Ernie Freeman (and his wife Ariel), and daughter Amanda and her family; his sister Louise of McKinleyville, who cared for him from birth, and with whom he lived with for the past 30+ years in McKinleyville; his brother Curtis Stephens (and his wife Pam) of Arkansas; his nephew Mike Freeman (and his wife Debbie) of McKinleyville, who cared for him to the end; his niece Kathi Mesloh of McKinleyville; his niece Karen (and husband Kenny) of Tuttle Oklahoma; his great-niece Amanda Freeman and her daughter Abigale; numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Tony had a major stroke in 2011 and spent the next few years battling back.  The trauma team in Redding were shocked he even survived the aneurism, much less recover from it.  But recover, he did.  He made his way from the Shock Trauma unit to a rehab in Redding and eventually to the rehab in Eureka.

He told us a story when he started waking up in the Redding rehab and was able to speak again.  Tony has always loved his lord, ever since being saved.  While he was unconscious, he met Jesus.  Jesus told him it wasn’t his time yet and to go back home and don’t stop praying.  He also told us about the woman that sat at the end of his bed.  He said that every time he opened his eyes, she was there.  Except, according to hospital staff, there was never anyone there.  He was definitely being watched over while he was there.

Those who knew Tony knew the sense of humor he had.  He claimed to be shy but he had a way of making people laugh.  He always lit up any room.  Asking doctors if they had any beer or whisky.  (He didn’t drink).  Asking his doctor to prescribe him weed (He didn’t smoke). He would ask people to pull paintings off the wall and put them in the car. (He didn’t steal).

Tony loved his Lord and was a member of the McKinleyville Baptist Church.

All arrangements were handled by Sanders Funeral Home.