Lt. Col. George Clifford Freeman, U.S.A., Ret., 96, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2012. He was the only child of Claire and George Oliver Freeman of Portsmouth, Virginia who emigrated from Liverpool, England. He graduated with honors from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1931. Lt. Col. Freeman married the "love of his life," the former Clelia Thompson, also from Portsmouth, Virginia in 1940. The couple, who originally met in the third grade, was married for 71 years. Upon graduation from Virginia Military Institute in 1935, Mr. Freeman began his career as the city engineer for the city of Norfolk, Virginia. He served as an Army officer during WWII in France under General George Patton. After the war, he served on General Douglas MacArthur's staff in Tokyo, Japan. His military career took him from the staff college at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Newfoundland. In 1959, Lt. Col. Freeman served as the district engineer for the Corps of Engineers Fort Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. After his last tour of duty in Korea in 1962, Lt. Col. Freeman retired and formed a succession of private civil engineering and land surveying businesses. Throughout his lifetime, he invested in local real estate and diligently traded stock. Mr. Freeman was a licensed professional engineer and certified land surveyor. He was a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the oldest member of Lake Drummond Masonic Lodge; past president of the Bayside Lions Club and past president of the Society of American Military Engineers. George Freeman was the oldest Eagle Scout in this area and one of the oldest alumni of V.M.I. Until his residency at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community, Lt. Col. Freeman served on the Investment Club Board of Princess Ann Country Club. He was confirmed at the age of 13 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. In later years, he joined Sandbridge Methodist Church where he and his wife became life members. In addition to his wife, Clelia T. Freeman of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Mr. Freeman is survived by his two sons, George Clifford Freeman, II of Portsmouth, Virginia and Richard Robert Freeman of Richmond, Virginia. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two-great grandchildren. The Freeman family wishes to thank the Atlantic Shores Seaside staff and the Hospice personnel who devotedly cared for Lt. Col. Freeman during his latter years and in his recent illness. A memorial reception is planned for January 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Lt. Col. Freeman's name to V.M.I., the Lions Club, and the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad at Sandbridge or to your favorite charity. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.