Phillip Freeland Obituary

Phillip Loy Freeland was born on October 2, 1951, in Frederick, Oklahoma. He was the second son and fourth child of Retha Faye and Albert Freeland. While growing up in Frederick, Phil played a few sports, but he mostly excelled in FFA, growing show sheep. His show sheep adventures earned him several Grand Champions at the Tillman County Fair, as well as a Reserve Grand Champion Southdown Lamb at the Tulsa State Fair and Livestock Exposition. He was given the nickname Jackrabbit, later shortened to JR, by his FFA instructor Bob Dyer. Most people in the community knew him by this name and it stuck with him for most of his life.
Graduating from Frederick High School in 1969, Phil continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma for two years before graduating from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.
Phil's occupations included helping his dad in the family's sand and gravel business, Director of Turning Point Youth Services in Frederick, and many years as the Vice President of Corporate Quality at Tinker Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City.
He was married to Jeanne Graham and to this union was born his only child, Justin Phillip. He later married Kevin Van Ness. Phil and Kevin shared a passion for his beloved dogs and gardening.
After retirement, Phil enjoyed his pool and his dogs. He was an avid dog lover and frequently rescued abandoned ones that he found around town. He was quoted in the Daily Oklahoman about dog insurance policies in which he sometimes invested in.
Some of the family's favorite memories of Phil were his rendition of "Blue Christmas Lights for my Christmas Tree" and leading the little ones in his animated versions of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". Phil also did not consider any meal complete without a serving of bread, jelly, and sometimes peanut butter to go along with the main course.
He is survived by his son, Justin; grandson, Jett; bonus grandsons, Jared, and Jacob and his wife Dara; stepdaughter, Heather Pollard; step grandchildren, Lex and Ava.; his brothers and sisters, Linda Dickson, Marla Eskew, Randy Freeland and his wife, Bonnie, Joey Freeland and his wife Shari, and Ron Freeland and his wife, Gay; along with many nieces and nephews.
Phil will be greatly missed but fondly remembered for his contagious laughter and his many attempts at humor and jokes!
A celebration of Phillip's life will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Art Barker and Chris Freeland officiating. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.