Marvin Gerald Freeman born October 30, 1937 to Nathaniel and Marie C. (nee Venuto) Freeman, passed away at the age of 83 on Monday, February 1, 2021. Fortified with God’s Good Graces at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in 1945.
Husband to his beautiful and beloved wife, Joan Freeman; dear father of Gerald, Alexis (Donnie), Natalia, and Marvel (Steven Kipp); stepfather of Dawn (Mark), Stacy (Greg), Andrea (Rob), and Michael; loving grandfather of Mary, Edward, Cassandra, Gerald Jr., Territa, Tiara, Juanitra, Dominique, Christina, Niko, Patrick, Chastity, Vanity, Kellee, Robert, Josey, Samantha, Rachel, Regina, Ian, Nicole, Jessica, Austin, Megan, Lauren, Harper, and Dash; brother of Lawrence (Elsie), Natalie, and Donald; cherished great-grandfather, uncle, nephew, and cousin.
Also important to Marvin’s life were his very special friends – Lovell, Art, Phil, Ray, Pat C., Bobby & Judy, Bill, Lee, Cliff, Jeff, Rick, Herman, Ling Ling, Lou, Oscar, Wendell, Snookie, Mac, Harm, Val, Karen, Patty, Lori, Odetta, Cindy C., Jeanne, Jenny, Lauri, Al, Marlene, Kay, Holly, Debra, Kathy, Tim, Sheila, James & Pat, Gabe & Nicole, and Sue.
He also treasured his very special companions – Lil Bit, Mollie, Clark, Harley, Cooper, and April.
Marvin attended Vashon and Sumner High School, Hubbard’s College, Lincoln University, Lindenwood Colleges, Laclede School of Law at Webster University and elective credit through University of Missouri – Columbia and University of Missouri Extension. Certified Access to Recovery Specialist by MO Department of Mental Health, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and CCFC.
Marvin was the President/CEO of Freeman Enterprises and Partner (President) with his sister, Pastor Natalie Starr, in The Community Hope Project. He retired after 30 years of service as the Executive Director for the St. Charles County Department of Workforce Development with prior employment as a Medical Administrative Assistant with the Veterans Administration and Coordinator of Transportation/Communications and Liaison to NABS/JOBS Program in Miami, FL for the St. Louis Jobs Corps Center.
He was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Workforce Development Programs by President Ronald Reagan, President Bill Clinton, Governors Bond, Ashcroft, Carnahan, and Holden, the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives, and Multiple National, State, and Local Organizations.
Throughout his life, Marvin had the distinction of belonging as a member of the Board of Directors for the following organizations:
- St. Charles Crime Stoppers,
- The MO Employment and Training ASSO/MO ASSO of Workforce Development
- EDC Synergy Center Advisory Board
- YMCA Board of Managers
- Tri-County United Way
- National ASSO of Counties Employment and Training Professionals
- MO Economical Development Council
- Training and Employment Administrators of Missouri
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce
- United States Olympic Festival Board of Directors
- St. Louis Sports Commission
- St. Charles Sports Authority
- Boys and Girls Town of Missouri
- St. Charles Mental Health Board of Trustees
- St. Charles Parks Board
- St. Charles Community College Foundation Board
- MO Welfare Coordinating Committee
- National Employment and Training ASSO
- St. Louis Jobs Initiative
- St. Charles Civic Progress
- St. Charles Economic Development Council Board
- Station Casino/Ameristar Advisory Committee
- St. Louis Regional RCGA/EW Gateway Workforce Planning Board
- The Casa Regos of Metro St. Louis
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marvin’s name may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.