Dean Freeman, 74, of Hollywood, MD died May 6, 2009. Dean was born on March 4, 1935, in Pacolet near Spartanburg, SC.

Dean is survived by his wife Pamela and their three children; Scott and his wife Amy and their three children Rebecca, David, and Angelica; Elizabeth Freeman; and Rachel and her husband Gary Dickinson and their two children Hannah and Abigail. He is also survived by his sister, Myrtis Olds of Omaha NE, and a dear aunt, Margaret Sichak of Pacolet, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Clyde Freeman of Spartanburg, SC and his sister, Mary Ruth Berning of LaBelle, FL.

Dean grew up in Spartanburg, SC and graduated from Fairforest High School in 1954 at which point he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his service, he was attached to several commands and while stationed in Bermuda met and married his wife Pamela in 1960. Seven years after transferring to the Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center, Dean retired in 1974 as a Senior Chief after 20 years of active service.

In 1975, Dean joined the Civil Service at NATC Patuxent River in support of the P-3C Orion and the new S-3A/B. At his retirement in 1995, Dean received the Civilian Meritorious Award for his many managerial and technical contributions to the U.S. Navy's ASW program.

Since 1967, Dean and his wife have been active members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Dean regularly served wherever he was called. As a longtime member of the church choir, he loved making a joyful noise unto the Lord. For many years he participated in one of his favorite outreach projects, Christmas In April. Dean also volunteered at Sotterley Plantation and was a performing member of a recorder quartet that entertained at local nursing homes.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 22550 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

A graveside service has been scheduled at Pacolet Memorial Gardens, SC on June 16, 2009.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.