Earl Warren Freeman

Earl Warren Freeman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, passed away Thursday, May 27th, at St Mary's Medical Center of Campbell County. Earl was born February 19, 1929, in McCreary County, Kentucky, moved to LaFollette in 1959, founded Lyk-Nu Body Shop in 1968 with partner Ralph Wilson, built a business, raised a family, and helped improve a community. Everyone who knew Earl appreciated his wisdom, insights, dedication to family, and, most of all, the humor, grace, and optimism he always displayed. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War, and was a member of the West LaFollette Baptist Church.

Earl's sense of community was demonstrated by action, serving on boards or raising funds for organizations like the LaFollette Planning Commission (charter member), the Campbell County Planning Commission (charter member), Child Abuse Intervention Service, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Caring Neighbor Program, the Campbell County High School Marching Band, FEMA, the Campbell County Cancer Fund, the LaFollette Jaycees, Helping Hands, the Salvation Army, Food Life Services, Emergency Food and Shelter Board, and Family First. For his efforts, in addition to the joy he felt for helping others, he was named a Kentucky Colonel, a Tennessee Colonel, was honored with a proclamation of "Earl Freeman Day" by Campbell County twice (December 15, 1997, and November 12, 2009), received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts, 2004 Citizen of the Year, Chairman Emeritus of the Campbell County Planning Commission (1997), and host of other awards.

Earl was preceded in death by parents George Grant and Lula Pearl Freeman, and brother George Freeman, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lucille Cowan Freeman; sons Michael and wife Judy of Jacksboro, and Edwin and wife Mitzi of Soddy Daisy, TN; daughters Pam and husband Freddy Guy of Fort Knox, Ky, and Jennifer Freeman of Antioch, TN; brother Winifer and wife Julia of Somerset, KY, sisters Ella Siler of Somerset, KY, Geneva Sprague of Lima, Ohio, Dorothy Hadding of Waynesville, Ohio, and twin sister Katheryn Bryant of Parkers Lake, KY; grandchildren David Dolen, Sarah Dolen, Natalie Guy, Hannah Guy, Chris Freeman, Jeffrey Freeman, Steve Freeman, Cody Freeman, and great granddaugher Madalyn Jackson; close family friend Kathleen Glaser, and many other special relatives and friends.

The family will be receiving friends beginning at 4 pm, followed by funeral services at 8 pm, Sunday, May 30, at the Martin-Wilson Funeral Home on Central Avenue in LaFollette with Rev. Ronnie Arnold officiating. A family burial will follow on Monday at 10 am at the Powell Valley Cemetery with the Campbell County Honor Guard in charge of graveside services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, Food Life Services, or any of the worthy organizations mentioned above.

Martin Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.