Dee Andrew Freeman

Dee Andrew Freeman, age 74, of Raleigh, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2025. Born in Lenoir, North Carolina on October 11, 1951, he was the first child of the late Joseph Hutto and Helen Minton Freeman. His early years were spent in Lenoir where, as a bright-eyed five-year-old, he began his educational journey at East Harper Elementary School. His family later moved to nearby Hudson where Dee would become a proud member of the Hudson High School Hornets football team. He was a graduate of North Carolina State University and received his Master's Degree from Appalachian State University. He received Municipal Administration Certification from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Credentialed Manager Certification from the International City and County Management Association.
Dee's local and regional government career included service as City Manager in Shelby, Hudson, Maiden, and his longest time spent in the western North Carolina city of Brevard. In the summer of 1999 while on city business at the General Assembly, Dee stopped by to visit a friend, Emily Reynolds, who worked there. That visit became many visits and their friendship became a romance. They were married in a garden wedding ceremony in the fall of 2000. By that time, Dee had become the Executive Director of Triangle J Regional Council of Governments in RTP where he spent the next nine years. Following his career in local government, Dee served as Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources on the Cabinet of Governor Beverly Perdue.
Throughout his career he served on numerous local, state and national boards including the NC League of Municipalities, National League of Cities and Appalachian State University. Prior to his recent illness, he served on the Board of the North Carolina Retired Government Employees Association. He was known for his thoughtful attention to detail and deep commitment to public service, and worked tirelessly for the citizens of the communities he served.
Dee served as a deacon and elder in the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church, was a former Rotary president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a recipient of the Caldwell County Schools Hall of Honor, and in 2012, received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the state's highest civilian honors.
After more than forty years of service in local and state government came to an end, he and Emily enjoyed travel and established a second home in Asheville. One of Dee's favorite things to do while there was to spend time with Emily driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in the Pisgah National Forest often stopping for picnics along the way. They treasured their time together and rarely spent time apart.
In addition to his parents, Dee was predeceased by his daughter, Elizabeth Alicia Freeman Le and his brother Joseph Dale Freeman. He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years Emily Reynolds Freeman, son Robert (Tiffany), step-son Jason Reynolds, son-in-law John Le, four grandchildren, a sister, Lynette McLendon and a nephew, Adam Freeman.
A special four-year-old friend and neighbor, who many years ago felt a little unsure of the man she began to see at Emily's front door once said, "He's too tall and he smiles too much." She was right. Dee Freeman was a tall man in so many ways, and his quick smile was a reflection of his warm heart and kind and gentle soul.
Dee will be laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery, 16100 Hobbton Hwy. in Newton Grove, NC, at a graveside service on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, 1924 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC. 27604.
Services are entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Newton Grove, North Carolina.
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