Charles Freeman Jr.

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Charles Freeman, Jr., MD passed away on July 1st, 2015, just shy of his ninetieth birthday. He was born on July 26th, 1925, in Sparta, Georgia to Charles and Ruth Butts Friedman. He attended Emory at Oxford College, leaving in 1944 for the University of Georgia School of Medicine in Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from medical school in 1949 and joined the Navy as a Lieutenant in the medical corps serving with the Marines in the Korean War. After his time in the Navy he completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery in Augusta. Dr. Freeman practiced orthopaedic surgery in Augusta until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (1958), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (1959), and was a founding partner in Orthopaedic Associates of Augusta. He was a past president of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society, a member of the Southern Medical Association, the Royal British Foot Society and a member of many other medical and professional organizations where he was recognized for his service and commitment. Dr. Freeman was an early pioneer of total hip replacement surgery. He and the late John Lidelle Chandler, MD studied hip replacement surgery under Sir John Charnley, FRS in England and together they performed the first total hip replacement surgery in Augusta, Georgia. He was also a pioneer in surgery of the foot as evidenced by his membership in the Royal British Foot Society. He was a member of the Masonic order, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Free Masonary and a member of The Gridiron Secret Society. Dr. Freeman loved traveling throughout the world and was very comfortable regaling friends and acquaintances with stories from his travels. He was an avid golfer and a past member of the Augusta Country Club and the Augusta Golf Association as well as a founding member of West Lake Country Club. He is survived by his three sons, Charles Freeman III, Augusta, Georgia who lived with him and lovingly cared for him during the last years of his life, Davidson L. Freeman, MD (Gwen), Augusta, Georgia, and Albert N. "Skeete" Freeman also of Augusta. Three granddaughters, 3 grandsons and 8 great-grandchildren also survive Dr. Freeman. One of Dr. Freeman's grandsons is a third generation graduate of the Medical College of Georgia. A private family burial service will be held in the Sparta Cemetery, Sparta, Georgia on July 3rd. The arrangements are being handled by May and Smith Funeral Home, Sandersville, Georgia. Friends may pay their respects to the family at a gathering at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall, Augusta, Georgia on Sunday, July 5th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Sparta Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 396 Sparta, Georgia 31087 or Lynndale Inc, 1490 Eisenhower Drive Augusta, Georgia 30904. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com