Garland Emerson Freeze, Sr.

Garland Freeze, 81, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 in San Angelo.

Mr. Freeze was born July 16, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio. He was a 1958 graduate of South High School. He met his wife of 61 years, Clara Butler and was married on October 21, 1960.

Garland had an accomplished military career serving in both the United States Air Force and Army. He was stationed at home and abroad with assignments in Ft. Meade MD, Ft. Devins MA, Darmstadt Germany and Okinawa Japan. A Vietnam veteran, Garland retired as Chief Warrant Officer 3 after 24 years of service at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo where he's been a resident since 1982.

Garland began his second career with the United States Postal Service starting as a Letter Carrier eventually advancing to Postmaster. He served as Postmaster in Ballinger and Brady before retiring after 20 years of service.

Serving his community was a cornerstone commitment for Garland. He was a mentor in the Big Brother/Big Sister Program at Lakeview High School and delivered with Meals for the Elderly. Garland served on the Convention & Visitor Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, West Texas Workforce Solutions and San Angelo Community Boards. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus through St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Boys & Girls Club, American Legion Post 57 and the SAISD 2008 Bond Oversite Committee. He participated in the United Way Allocation Panel; was a Shannon Volunteer and met with new police recruits of the San Angelo Police Dept. Chief Challenge, member of City of San Angelo Development Corporation (COSADC). Garland served as President of the NAACP for 10 years and received the Torchbearer Award at the NAACP Texas State Conference.

Garland loved to read, listen to Jazz, and root for the Washington Redskins. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he proudly served as an usher.
Survivors include his wife, Clara Freeze; son, Perry L. Freeze, Sr. of San Angelo; two daughters, Renarda Y. Freeze of Dallas, and Garlanda E. Freeze of Brooklyn, New York; sister Linda Peaks and husband Ronnie of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren, Patrease, Perry Jr., Nealie, April, and Kieran; three great grandchildren, Samuel, Suinta, and Sophia; several nieces and nephews.

Garland was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Florence Freeze; a son, Garland Freeze, Jr.; a sister, Patricia Byrd; and a brother, Monte Freeze.

Public viewing will be held Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Robert Massie Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 PM. Mass will be held 10:00 AM Monday, April 11, 2022 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church; with the Most Rev. Michael J. Sis, Bishop of San Angelo Diocese, and Father Juan Lopez-Cortes, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with military rites afforded by the Ft. Hood Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.