Freeman Jr., Ralph James

Ralph James Freeman Jr., 81, of Iowa City, passed away at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on Nov. 16, 2013, from complications of surgery for bladder cancer.

“Jim,” son of Ralph and Goldie Freeman, husband of Sandra Beach Freeman, is survived by his wife and his three children, Shelley, Chris and Mike. Shelley Freeman-George is married to Jeff Zelna and resides in Syracuse, N.Y. Christine Johnson is married to Calvin Johnson and resides in Phoenixville, Pa. Michael Freeman is married to Tammy Freeman and resides in Waconia, Minn. Jim has six grandchildren: Lindsay, Chelsea, Lexie, Lauren, Caden and Brooke. On Oct. 1, 2013, Jim became a great-grandfather to Story Viola Wehmeyer.

Jim was a longtime Iowa City resident who loved calling Iowa City home. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1951. As a student-athlete at City High he lettered in track, basketball and football. In 1951, Jim was the Iowa State Shot Put Champion and he received first team all-state recognition for football while playing for the Little Hawks. Jim was later inducted into the City High Hall of Fame and Iowa High School Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements as an athlete at City High.

He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1956 with a degree in liberal arts. While attending school at Iowa, his greatest accomplishments were on the football field playing for the Hawkeyes. Wearing number 80, Jim was a kicker and an end for the Hawks.

After graduation he was drafted by the LA Rams and played professional football for the Rams and later the Pittsburgh Steelers. A career ending injury took Jim into the insurance business for over 45 years with Metropolitan and then owning his own agency.

Jim remained active in the community throughout his life serving as Booster Club president from 1978-1979. He was also one of the founders of the Midlands Tennis Tournament held in Iowa City each year for juniors and adults.

His retirement activities included riding his bike on RAGBRAI, playing boccie ball on the beach with his Florida friends, and fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico. He was an avid hunter for pheasants and ducks and a member of Pheasants Forever. Carving wood was a passion for Jim later in life, making tabletops, nativities and pictures of hunting scenes.

The past few years were spent with family, friends, and watching City High football practices. City High and the University of Iowa were always in Jim's heart.

He will be missed by both his family and friends.

Jim has been cremated and his ashes will be spread in the Gulf off Anna Maria Island at a later date.

Please join the family to celebrate Jim's life at the City High Commons from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18. The family will be sharing memories from Jim's life at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be welcomed to City High Athletics.

Online condolences can be sent to Jim's family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Published Nov. 17, 2013 in The Gazette