Edwin Neal Freeman was born April 12, 1941, to Melvin James Freeman and Bernelda Lorene Thornberry Freeman in Hotchkiss, Colo.
Ed grew up in Hotchkiss and was graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1959. Upon graduation, Ed enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served with the Pacific Fleet the next four years.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Ed returned to his home in Hotchkiss. There, he married Glenna Fae Watson. To this marriage one son was born, Ronald Neal Freeman (Hammond). The family moved to Craig and they were later divorced.
Ed made Craig his home, working as a truck driver with local companies, then for Moffat County. In 1977, he went to work for Colowyo Coal Co. as an over-the-road truck driver hauling crushed coal from the mine to the train loadout in Craig.
In the summer of 1978, there were four new voices on the over-the-road dispatch radio. The A-Crew voice was his future wife, Anna. In 1980, they finally met and the voices now had faces. Ed relocated from Craig to Meeker, and they were married in 1981. They bought a small ranch south of Meeker and it has been home to this day.
Ed and Anna both retired from Colowyo Coal Co. in 1999, he after 22 years of service, she after 21 years, and they devoted full time to their ranch, where they have Arabian horses and grow hay.
Ed’s favorite job of all was his last as the ditch rider for the White River Highland Ditch Co. since 2010.
Ed was preceded in death by: both parents; sister Sylvia; son Ron; and stepson Carl.
He is survived by: his wife Anna; sister Agnes (Rusty) Crick of Grand Junction; stepson Earl (Tammy) Stout of Meeker; two granddaughters; four grandsons; two great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Calaway-Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital, 1906 Blake Ave., Glenwood Springs, Colo. 81601.
