Darrel Freeman

Prominent Santa Rosa newspaperman and New Mexico Press Association Hall of Fame recipient Darrel Freeman passed away at Alta Vista Hospital in Las Vegas, New Mexico on October 27, 2010, he was 83 years of age. Harry Darrel Freeman was born on August 30, 1927 in Enid, Oklahoma to the home of Benjamin and Blanch McCullough Freeman. He was an only child. At an early age, the family moved to Odessa, Texas where Freeman attended schools graduating from Odessa High. During his childhood, Freeman was introduced to the newspaper business by his mother, who at the time owned the Odessa Morning Herald and like many newspapermen, his first job was on a newspaper route.He attended Texas Tech University for three years, then drafted into military service serving in the United States Army as a military policeman stationed in Japan. Returning to Texas after his service, Freeman completed his studies at Texas Tech graduating with a dual Bachelors’ of Arts degrees in Journalism and in Business Administration then returning to work with a newspaper in LaMesa, Texas selling advertising. It was during this time that Freeman met his future wife, Virginia Jo Postelle, daughter of John Wendell and Edna Postelle in Odessa. They met through a mutual friend and were married in 1954. Freeman later accepted a job in Mc Camey, Texas where he became editor and advertising manager of the McCamey News and the Iraan (Texas) News, a position he held for seven years. He then became editor of the News Bulletin in Belen, New Mexico and worked there until he was able to purchase his own paper in Santa Rosa in 1961. Moving his wife and two young children to Santa Rosa, Freeman improved upon the quality of the newly purchased Santa Rosa News, tripling advertising revenue and bringing his style of journalism to the community reporting what the town council, school board or county commission issues were at the time. Around 1968, Freeman was elected to the New Mexico Press Association Board of Directors. In 1970, he entered into a proposal to sell the Santa Rosa News and his schedule placard business but the deal did not last long, and Freeman took the Santa Rosa News back again in 1972. In 2001, he again sold the Santa Rosa News. He did not sell the News building, but leased the paper space in that building that also houses the Freeman Agency where he was the qualifying broker and remained until his death. Freeman was a 2003 inductee into the New Mexico Press Association Hall of Fame. He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Blanche Mc Cullough Freeman; a son, Don John Freeman; grandchild, John Luis Freeman and granddaughter-in-law Christie Freeman. Freeman is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Virginia Jo and daughter D’ Arrel Freeman of the family home in Santa Rosa. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Jackie Chacon Freeman of Pojoaque, New Mexico; his grandchildren; Antonio Lee Von Freeman and wife Lisa, of Santa Rosa and Virginia Helena Mathes and husband Terry, of Garland, Texas. Also surviving him are his great grandchildren MacKenzie and Caitlyn Mathes of Arlington, Texas; Sarah Emily Freeman and Xavier Jacques Freeman of Pojoaque, New Mexico; and Naomi Cassandra of San Jose, California and Edna Olivia of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Roderick W. and Eva Postelle of San Antonio, Texas. Services were held at 11:00 am at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Friday, October 29, 2010 with the Reverend Joseph Thomas Kanavallil officiating. Burial followed at Saint Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were Silver Chavez, Roberto Martin Marquez, M. E. Sprengelmeyer, Antonio Freeman, Jacques Freeman, and Filbert Tapia. Honorary pallbearers were Benito Via, Laute Lucero, and Davy Delgado. All services for Mr. Freeman have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. www.chavezfuneralhome.com