James Elden Freese, Beloved companion, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, James Elden Freese (Jim), age 88, passed away peacefully in his Westerville, OH home on September 10, 2024. Jim was born July 27, 1936, in Valley City, Ohio, to the late Orlin and Edna (nee Mabry) Freese.

Jim will long be remembered for his dedication to family, generosity to others, hard-working nature, apple pie, and of course his love of THE Ohio State Buckeyes.

He inspired dozens of young boys while coaching Little League Baseball for some 20 years.  He loved nurturing talent and encouraged the boys to believe in themselves while training to improve.  After coaching, he was an umpire for many years.  He also served as the Commissioner of the Medina City and the Medina County Little Leagues for a number of years.

He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Pythias, serving in various leadership roles.

He was devoted to his children and grandchildren, cheering them on at sports, concerts, theater, dance, and ice skating.

Jim was active in the Medina Athletic Booster Club, working hard to bring about the Ken Dukes Stadium.  He was awarded an honorary letter for his many years of service to the Booster Club.

In his retirement years, Jim participated in Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Mission trips for the rebuilding of homes due to natural disasters.

He survived multiple cancers and entered hospice care in March 2024.  His drive and determination, and the grace of God, allowed him to miraculously recover.  He gained strength, became mobile again, and met his goal to attend the 50th Bert & Wanetta Freese Family Reunion on July 27, his 88th birthday.

He loved spending time on family farms and traveling to see family across the country, and went on five Buckeye Cruises for Cancer, which raise funds for cancer research at OSU's James Cancer Hospital.  He also loved watching Ohio State football and basketball games with his son Scott, an OSU alum.

Jim started work at age 17 at the Cleveland Steel Mill and went on to work for 26 years for the BF Goodrich Warehouse in Medina.  Following the closing of this warehouse, he moved to Boston where he managed residential property for ten years.  He returned to Ohio and settled in Westerville.

Jim's memory will be cherished by his loving companion of 20 years, Sue Ellen Dailey; children, Beth (Sam) Freese Dammers, Scott (Denise) Freese; grandchildren, Katy Dammers, Emi Dammers, Brett Freese, and Kerry Freese, and siblings Margaret, Ethel, Donna, and John. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings and his wife of 48 years, Nancy A. Halliwill Freese.

The family will welcome guests at a visitation on Sunday, September 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on Monday, September 16 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Waite & Sons Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.  A worship service of Witness to the Resurrection and Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Waite & Sons, Medina.  Interment will immediately follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory may make a memorial donation in Jim's name to:

Mount Carmel Hospice via  www.mountcarmelfoundation.org, directing your gift to the hospice fund. (Mailing: check payable to The Mount Carmel Foundation, NOTE: to support the hospice fund.  Mail to: Mount Carmel Foundation with Attention: Mt Carmel Hospice, 3100 Easton Square Place, Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43219)

American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org/

Medina City Parks & Recreation: (Mailing: check payable to City of Medina, 775 E. Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256 please put In Memory of Jim Freese/Donation on the memo line of the check)

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com.