George Clifford Freeman, II

Early on September 25, 2012, our beloved husband and father, George Clifford Freeman, II, "Cliff", aged 68 years, of Portsmouth, Virginia, passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife, Sarah Smith Freeman, "Sally", and daughters, Amelia Freeman Rohrer, Sarah Elizabeth Freeman, Catherine Clelia Freeman and Mary Margaret Gillon Freeman, all of whom he cared for deeply. Just prior to his passing, he was calm and peaceful when he moved swiftly toward a distinct light he had seen earlier that evening. His departure from this earth marked the end of an arduous, yet hopeful, three year struggle with colon cancer. When he turned gently toward his creator, his loyal Scotties, Rosey and Sunny, stood at his bedside. Cliff was the devoted son of Clelia Thompson Freeman, a resident of Atlantic Shores , Virginia Beach, Virginia and Lt. Col. George C. Freeman, who predeceased his son in January, 2012. Cliff was born in Richmond , Virginia and moved with his parents to Japan , to Alexandria , Virginia , to Newfoundland , and to Virginia Beach , Virginia where they settled. Cliff spent the remainder of his life in the Tidewater area. He is survived also by his brother, Richard R. Freeman; two sons, George C. Freeman, III and Hunter P. Freeman; and two grandchildren. Cliff was predeceased by a grandchild. He is survived by his special son-in-law, David Rohrer. Cliff graduated from Princess Anne High School then attended Virginia Military Institute where he completed the "rat line." Later, he attended Old Dominion University and the College of William and Mary. After his marriage, he read law and became an attorney by studying under the tutelage of his wife. As the owner and manager of Goldcrest Homes, LLC, Cliff built custom homes in Chesapeake , Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth , Virginia . Cliff was employed by the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Bush Construction Company, Pilot Catastrophe Services, and Freeman and Johnson, Engineering and Surveying. Cliff was a prior partner with his father at Freeman and Freeman, Engineering and Surveying, Virginia Beach , Virginia and an owner of Freeman and Associates, Portsmouth , Virginia . Cliff was a licensed member of the Virginia State Bar, a Virginia licensed surveyor, Class A and B, and a Virginia licensed contractor, Class A. Cliff was also a member of the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association, a member of the Virginia Association of Surveyors, past president of the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Association of Surveyors, past president of the Kiwanis Club, and a member of the VMI Keydette Club. Cliff attended Trinity Episcopal Church where he was confirmed and served briefly as an usher. Cliff was an elegant man with simple tastes. When he mowed his lawn, he wore a white, starched Brooks Brothers shirt. He loved to watch Duke basketball with Coach K or pop an iced Heineken from his lounge chair at Sandbridge. When the urge struck, he roamed down deserted country roads in search of the perfect BBQ or danced to beach music with his wife. He was a "cool dad" who boisterously cheered his daughters to victory, yet comforted them when they were hurt. Cliff will never be replaced in our hearts. His feisty spirit and quiet wit lives on in those he left behind. We cherish the time we had with him and choose to remember him, bronzed and robust, walking toward the sunset along an endless shore. Cliff's family wishes to express thanks to the Cancer Specialists of Tidewater, Tidewater Surgical Specialists, Duke University Medical Center , the Sidney M. Oman Cancer Center , the Portsmouth Fire Department, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center and Bon Secours Hospice. We wish to express our special thanks to Dr. Craig Franzman, Susan Lundgren, Vicki and Jennifer of Tidewater Cancer Specialists, Dr. Peter Paik of Maryview Hospital and Mrs. Wanda Smith of Bon Secours Hospice for cushioning Cliff's passage. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society, the Portsmouth Humane Society or to a charity of one's choice. Cliff's family plans a private memorial reception for him at home