Eric Freed

Mr. Raymond Eric Freed, age 73, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

Eric was the son of William E. and Betty E. Freed.  He was born May 9, 1944 in Winston-Salem, NC and  was baptized and raised in the Lutheran Church.  Eric grew up in Jonesville, NC and attended Elkin City Schools where he graduated in 1962. He attended NC State University and Forsyth Technical Community College and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Engineering Technology.  He served in the Air National Guard following training in San Antonio, Texas. Eric taught drafting and design at Surry Community College then worked for Westinghouse in the engineering department. Eric worked with his father in Freed Sales, Inc. as a sales representative for the heavy duty truck industry.  Following the death of his father in 1984, he took over the business. In addition to his love for his family, he adored his grandchildren spending many countless hours watching them participate in extracurricular activities. Eric enjoyed collecting European sports cars and was a member of several car clubs including the Mercedes-Benz Club, the Piedmont British Motor Club and the Porsche Club of America.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Eric is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patsy Bowers Freed; sons, William Dierik Freed and his wife Kathryn Hardy Freed, Claude Jason Freed and his wife Leigh Reece Freed and Thomas Matthew Freed; nine grandchildren-Zachary Freed, Kaylee Freed, Maggie Freed, Kyle Freed, Hettie Freed, Logan Freed, Emma Freed, Coy Freed and Cole Freed; two sisters, Patricia Freed Nicks and her husband Kenneth Gray Nicks and Laura Freed Crawley and her husband Joseph Leland Crawley; one brother, Pastor Michael Edwin Freed and his wife Vera Kraushaar Freed and their sons, Luke, Samuel, Benjamin, Jacob and Joshua; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, July 31, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Michael Freed officiating. Burial will follow in Crestwood Memorial Gardens with military honors.  The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Blue Ridge Parkway or a charity of the donor’s choice.