Guerney "Gus" Freeman

Guerney "Gus" Freeman, 95, a native of Kingsport and resident of Colonial Heights, TN passed away peacefully on August 6, 2018, at Shannondale Health Care Center in Knoxville, TN.

He attended Dobyns-Bennet High School and played all sports. His hometown team of Borden Mill Village won the 1941 National Semi-Pro Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Guerney went on to join the Navy, graduating from the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, and served his country providing equipment testing at the Naval Proving Grounds in Dahlgren, VA during World War II.

Guerney attended the College of William and Mary. For what he considered the best 11 years of his life, he played baseball as a utility player for many minor league clubs in the Midwest region, culminating his career working for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Between seasons, he held other odd jobs including welding at TVA's John Sevier Fossil Plant, welding for General Motors prior to assembly line automation, and working at Bob Wood's Men's Shop in Kingsport, where he met his wife. Guerney later worked for Kraft Foods in their agricultural, retail, and institutional divisions winning many national sales awards before retiring at 67 as a Territory Manager. He enjoyed the game of golf and became a ranger at Warrior's Path State Park Golf Course for several years.

Guerney loved everything related to the sporting world and especially reminiscing. He enjoyed nature, talking about business, working around the house, and visiting with friends and family. He was an Elvis fan, danced to big band music, and was a fitness enthusiast. He was truly a "people person" and will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to recognize the staff of Shannondale Health Care Center for their extraordinary love and compassion during his time there.

Guerney was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Williams Freeman; parents, Marion and Texas Freeman; sister, Verna Freeman; and brother, Ernest and Parmer Freeman.

He is survived by his daughter, Carla Lewis and husband, Dennis of Powell, TN; sister, Christine Freeman; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made on his behalf to Holston United Methodist Home for Children, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744, phone 423-638-4171.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, 6055 Horton Highway, Baileyton, TN with military rites by the American Legion Post 3/265.

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