James Freel

Canton- James A. "Jim" Freel - age 79 died Monday, July 10, 2006 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, a son of the late William and Dora Jones Freel, and step-mother, Lucy Kirkpatrick Freel, and was preceded in death by a daughter, Miriam Freel Hall. Mr. Freel was a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and he attended the Virginia Military Institute. He was owner and operator of Freel Hardware in Clyde for 33 years and retired in 1991. He was a board member and steward of Canton Central United Methodist Church. Mr. Freel was a charter and board member of the Canton Rotary Club, charter member of Haywood County Toastmasters Club, board member of the YMCA, and he spent 12 years in the Scouts and had served as Scout Master. He had also been the recipient of the Order of the Arrow in Scouts. He walked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Mt. Rogers in Virginia, was a skilled woodworker and was a United States Navy veteran having served in World War II. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Clara R. Freel; two daughters, Shirley Carson and her husband, Dr. Johnny Carson, and Elizabeth Craig, all of Chapel Hill; one brother, Bill Freel and his wife, Nell, of Canton; five grandchildren, Brad and Becky Carson, David Hall, Chad and Alex Craig and a son-in-law, Dr. Don Hall. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2006 at Canton Central United Methodist Church with the Reverend David Christy officiating. Burial will follow in Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on the Old Clyde Road. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Wells Funeral Home in Canton. Pallbearers will be Bradley Carson, Chad Craig, Alex Craig, Charles Freel, Dr. David Jarrett and Richard Davis.

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