John C. Freeland

JOHN C. FREELAND John C. Freeland, age 91, of Sebring, Florida passed away Friday, August 12, 2011. He was born on January 31, 1920 in Maryville, Tennessee to John Jennings and Maude (Smith) Freeland. After graduating Sebring High School, he left Sebring to play minor league baseball, joined the military and served with the U.S. Army Air Corp. during WW II. He then went back to baseball, where he met his wife and the mother of his children, Shirley B. Freeland, and then went to college where he graduated with a Bachelors degree from Florida Southern College, then receiving his Masters degree from Florida Atlantic University. Coach Freeland returned to his home town and Alma Mater to raise his family and his students. The rest is pretty much history. He was a Teacher and Coach for 30+ years retiring from the Highlands County School Board as Principal of Sebring High School in 1986. He was awarded the Florida High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 1972, a member of the Sebring Fireman, Inc., past Director of Teen Town, member of First Presbyterian Church of Sebring, Florida, and has been a lifelong resident of Sebring, Florida. It was all a matter of pride to Coach. His life revolved around how proud and positive he felt about family and career. He was a leader and a man of sterling character. It all started in 1920 and 91 years later, we still celebrate all those proud and good things. There are many a tale of Coach Freeland roaming the halls constantly moving to stay ahead of the pack. One of the quotes he was famous for is if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. He is survived by his Daughters Susan Dalrymple (Jim) of Marathon, FL and Kathy L. Martin (Rick) of Guntersville, AL; Daughter-in-law Linda Freeland of Sebring, FL; Sons Robert Freeland (Missy) of Sebring, FL and Eddie Freeland of Lakeland, FL; 10 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife and mother of his children Shirley B. Freeland, Son John W. Freeland, and also his second wife - Veronica Freeland. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Sebring with Rev. Darrell Peer officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 AM prior of the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Sebring Fireman, Inc. Memorial Fund or the First Presbyterian Church Elder Care Program. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Sebring, Florida www.stephensonnelsonfh.com