Worth Merle Freeman

Worth Merle Freeman, 95, died Thursday, December 24, 2015, at Vibra Hospital in Thornton, Colorado. Also affectionately known as both ""Frank"" and ""Granddad,"" Merle was born on October 20, 1920, in Shamrock, Oklahoma, to Edward and Goldie Freeman. His family moved more than ten times during his childhood to small oil towns in Texas. He fondly remembered Wink and Amarillo, but his very favorite was Tyler. Merle and his best friend enlisted in the Marine Corps on February 6, 1941. For the duration of World War II, he served on the heavy cruiser USS Louisville as an anti-aircraft gunner and as a Marine infantryman. He fought in numerous battles, including Coral Sea, Surigao Straits, and Guadalcanal. At the war's end, he was honorably discharged in September of 1945. Also in 1945, Merle married Norma Hammonds in Amarillo, Texas. In 1947, Merle completed his B.A. in Geology at Colorado College in Colorado Springs and was employed by Phillips Petroleum in Amarillo, Texas. In 1950, Merle earned his M.A. Geology, with a minor in Petroleum Engineering, from The University of Texas. During his career with Phillips, he was transferred to Bartlesville, OK; Albuquerque, NM; Durango, and finally Denver. He primarily worked the Rocky Mountains, which included Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. He left Phillips to become general manager of the Denver office of Banner Petroleum, an independent Midland, TX, oil company. Merle was a lifelong hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed golfing, gardening, and woodworking. He was also a voracious reader and devoted bonsai enthusiast. Merle is survived by two sons, Donald R. Freeman and Frank W. Freeman; four grandchildren, Matthew C. Freeman, Chad A. Freeman, Jessica L. Freeman and Craig W. Freeman; two great-grandchildren, Ivy June Freeman and MacKenzie Paige Westwood; and one daughter-in-law, Toni Freeman. Granddad was a loving, intelligent, compassionate southern gentleman, and he was a Marine to the end. His 95 years were well-lived but not nearly enough for those who love him. There will be a visitation on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 9-10:30AM at Horan and McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 W. 80th Avenue, Arvada Colorado. The Graveside Service will follow at 11:00AM at the Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence Street, Arvada CO USA 80002 In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made in Merle's honor to: Semper Fi Fund https://semperfifund.org/ Please share your memories of Merle and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.