Freese, George J., age 78, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 8, 2014. He was born in Harvey, Illinois on October 3, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents, George B. and Saverine (Rosolowski) and beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth Freese. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served in Alaska, Germany, Maryland, Japan, Virginia, Vietnam, and Spain. Upon retirement, he worked for a private contractor with the D.O.D. at the Pentagon, and then the Naval War College in Rhode Island. In 1979 he moved with his wife, Joann, to Florida. He attended Tampa College, earning his Bachelor's degree. He was a long-term substitute teacher in the Hillsborough School system where he was able to positively impact and influence many young people. He enjoyed softball for many years, beginning when he was in the Navy and continuing after he retired. He was one of the founders of Brandon Senior Softball Association in 2003 and played until 2010. He loved family gatherings, golf, and fishing with his son; they spent many hours together on the lakes catching and releasing largemouth bass. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Joann (Kresl), daughter Karen (Warren) Pandy, son, Michael (Yvonne) Freese, granddaughters, Kristen and Allison Pandy, grandsons, Ryan and Nathan Pandy, and Matthew Freese, sisters, Geraldine Heimlich and Dolores Roy, sisters-in-law Kay Halterman and Susan (Dean) Minter, brother-in-law James Kresl, Sr. and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home in Riverview and a Memorial Mass at Resurrection Catholic Church, Riverview on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in memory of George J. Freese and/or Elizabeth R. Freese would be greatly appreciated. Final burial with full military honors at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida at a later date.