Max Freeze

Max Freeze was a retired broadcast news journalist from WITN TV. He was a local business owner of Freeze Frames in Havelock, Maximum Video, and Party Rentals & Supplies in New Bern, Aussie Hook Threaders on eBay, and items at Clark's Art, Antiques & Collectibles. He served as a representative of Ward 3 on the New Bern Board of Alderman for 20 years.
Max was a 32 degree Mason and a Shriner. He was active at Trinity United Methodist Church where he was an usher and served on the Pastor Parish Relations Board.
Max was a professional musician from the age of fifteen and played in many bands across the state. He was a drummer but could play all the percussion instruments. He played the drums in Gene Autry's band for two (2) years and played for Elvis Presley for a short time when he was in Charlotte. While living in Fayetteville, NC, he was active in the Fayetteville Little Theater, playing drums for many of their productions as well as serving on the Board of Directors.
Max began shooting still photography as a youngster. He would develop the film under his bed at night. He worked as a still photographer for many years, selling his photography and stories to newspapers, especially the home town newspapers of Fort Bragg soldiers.
As a young adult he worked at several radio stations across the state as an announcer and a news reporter. After many years in radio, Max started filming news stories in and around the Fayetteville area. He frequently traveled with various Army and National Guard troops to other parts of the world.
Later in life he began shooting film and selling it to TV stations in North Carolina and to the networks. He went to work with WITN-TV in 1975 with the understanding that he could still sell stories to the networks. He was an on air personality, a news reporter, and the assistant news director while at WITN-TV. He even did the weather when needed. Max retired from TV in 1983.
In the early 1980's he ran for and was elected to the New Bern City Board of Alderman for Ward 3. He was reelected several times, serving the city for 20 years.
Max served on several state and national committees. He was active with the NC League of Municipalities, serving on the Transportation, Communications and Public Safety committee and the Planning and Services Legislative Action committee. He served on the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Steering Committee for the National League of Cities. He was a vocal supporter of the Clean Water Trust Fund which provided loans to cities large and small so that they may provide clean drinking water to their citizens.
Locally, Max strongly supported arts programs, the 30 foot walk way around the waterfront for citizen access, community policing, and neighborhood watch groups. He was a vocal supporter of New Bern, talking with citizens and tourists alike whenever he had the chance. While serving on the Board of Alderman a new main fire station and two satellite stations were built as well as a new police station, a new sewer system and many other projects. He was a special friend to police and fire personnel. He would often say, "If you don't feel safe in your home nothing else matters."
Max is survived by his wife of 35 years, Frances Bee Mayo, of the home; four daughters: Lisa Freeze of Kitty Hawk, NC; Amy Rouse (Henry) of Clayton, NY; Mikki Thomas (Dennis) of Ernul, NC; and Jodi Freeze of Fuquay Varina, NC; 10 grandchildren: Rebecca Sachs (Andrew) of Winston-Salem, Jason Leroux (Jessyka) of Kensington, CT, Bryon Leroux (Kristen) of Gaithersburg, MD, Katy Them (Matt) of West Palm Beach, FL, Jay Jones of New York, NY, Hannah Collins of Greenville, NC, Courtland Hood and Gabriel Pickett of Fuquay Varina, NC, Corey Thomas of New Bern, NC, Caroline Thomas of New Bern, NC; 7 great grandchildren: Eli Sachs, Olivia Leroux, Hudson Leroux, Zylan and Zavier Them; Skyla and Sydney Thomas.
Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Charlene Pierce Guider. Those wishing to offer words of hope and condolences may visit www.pollockbest.com.
Masonic Rites will be delivered by Doric Lodge #568.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Max's name to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 12867, New Bern, NC, 28561, or Sudan Shriners, Shriner's Hospital for Children, 403 E. Front St., New Bern, NC 28560
Arrangements are with Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations.