Joseph Robert Freeland

Joseph Robert Freeland, known to all simply as Joe, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. He was born on September 14, 1943, in Ashland, Ohio, to Bob and Jane Freeland.

Relocating to Tallahassee at the age of nine, Joe grew up working and learning every aspect of the family's dairy at the corner of Highways 59 and 90. In 1984, he became president of Freeland Dairy, promoting an appreciation for farming, the outdoors, and the merits of hard work learned early in his youth. Joe never asked anyone to undertake a task he wouldn't tackle himself. He prioritized worker safety, often stepping into risky situations-like climbing into a jammed grain silo to resolve a blockage-because he wouldn't ask others to confront a danger he wouldn't face himself. After the sale of Freeland Dairy in 1990, he worked as a private land clearer, a driver for AAA Cooper, and on varied dairy farms throughout Georgia and North Florida. Always a self-proclaimed farmer at heart, Joe pursued the profession long into his golden years, choosing in his late 60s to continue working in the occupation he loved and revered through the purchase of his own equipment and self-employment. Farming wasn't just a job for Joe; it was his life. It stood as one of the three tenets around which he built his existence: Family, faith, and hard work. His dedication to farming and his connection to the land were integral parts of his character and stayed with him until his final days.

Joe was a devoted member of Indian Springs Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and sang in the church choir for many years. He read his bible faithfully each morning and never missed an Easter service. His faith guided his life and instilled in him an unshakeable peace and contentment that touched everyone he met.

Known for his laughter and endless repertoire of old radio jingles, Joe delighted in rhymes, devising nicknames for family and friends, and singing at the drop of a hat. He wore blue jeans and boots as a part of his daily uniform, cheerfully dubbed frosty mornings "frosted flakes," and claimed true cold didn't start until 50 degrees below. After hurricanes, when the power would (inevitably) go out, he'd simply quip, "We're pioneering it!"

If anything broke-from a busted pipe to a stalled tractor-Joe fixed it. In his youth, he even helped his family erect and maintain some of the barns and milking facilities at Freeland Dairy. Joe took pride in these projects and the few inventions he had to his name, like the calf pens he retrofitted in the 90s out of pvc and tin. Resourceful and intuitive, Joe tackled projects with a determination and creativity that provided for and impressed all who knew him.

His family remembers him for his kind and supportive spirit. Whether he was carefully teaching his sons the intricacies of farming, showing them how to operate a tractor or pull the feed wagon, or consoling his daughters with a hug after a tough day at school or a broken heart, he remained patient and gentle in both his instruction and understanding. He didn't yell or talk over you. Instead, he listened to, appreciated and respected your perspective. He was always the kind of son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather who stood in your corner, recognized and encouraged your best efforts, and reveled in your victories like they were his own. Nothing brought him greater joy than seeing his loved ones happy and thriving.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia K. Freeland; his children: Bryan (Laura), Jason (Monica), Ramsey (John), Kristin, and Aurora; his siblings: Eleanor Tesarek and John Freeland; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Jane Freeland.

To family, Joe always ended every call with, "I love you and bye-bye." We treasure the time we had with him, cherishing his unique blend of love, drive and faith. His legacy lives on in us, shaped by the exceptional ways he chose to embrace and live his life.