Ronald Lee Freed, 83, of Austin, Texas, died Tuesday, February 2, 2021, from COVID 19. He was born November 7, 1938, in Ulysses, Kansas, son of Vernon and Mary Maurine Porter Freed.

Ronald graduated from Ulysses High School in 1957, where he played on an undefeated Ulysses football team. He and his teammates made the U as you come into Ulysses from the East. After high school he went to Fort Hays State College on a football scholarship, leaving early to go into the Army. In the Army, he was an underwater demolitions expert and scuba diver. After the Army, he returned to college and met his future wife Gertraud Groeger. They were married in June of 1961. He was called back up into the Army for the Berlin Crisis with the 101st Airborne Division. After discharging from the Army, he finished his education in parks and recreation administration. He worked in business and education during his life and loved to read and study history.

He is survived by his sons. Kevin Ronald Freed of Cedar Park, Texas, and Gregory Dirk Freed. Gregory’s wife Laurel Holland and two grandchildren Zachary Freed and Sofia Freed. He is also survived by his former wife, but life-long friend, Gertraud Freed.
He is further survived by his brother Douglass Lynn Freed and wife, Nina of Sedalia, Missouri, and their four children Justin Freed, Chad Freed, Tiffany Sisemore and Damon Freed.

Ronald was loved by his family who miss him greatly. A graveside memorial on Saturday July 16, 2022, at 10:30 am will be held at the Ulysses Cemetery. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.