Lee Freeman passed away April 2, 2018

[Charles Duckworth]

Received an email from Lee’s wife Linda that Lee passed away 4/2/18. Lee and Linda were longtime attendees of our conventions – traveling from California to our meets. Le would bring MP or T&P models he’d been working on with the last being an O scale T&P muley caboose he’d scratch built. Lee’s interest in the Mopac wasn’t that he’d grown up along the tracks or had an uncle that worked for the railroad. He’d picked up one of Don Balls books and liked the look of the Mopac steam locomotives. He and Joe Collias became fast friends and Lee was hooked on the Missouri Pacific.

My Linda and I visited Lee and Linda a few years ago and Lee had a beautiful Mopac layout in his home. He’d reworked the Hallmark 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 and they ran like Swiss watches. Lee loved building models and had many Sunshine Models and Westerfield freight cars on his layout too. Lee fought cancer for the last several years but was always interested in the hobby. Lee also loved his British ales and traveling to the British isles. I hope he and Joe Collias are back together BSing about our favorite RR.

[David Boeschen]

I’m sorry to hear that.

I visited Lee’s layout once, maybe ten years ago, I think I was in San Diego so I drove up there. The layout was very complete, and I remember he talked about switching eras every now and then, but it was predominantly steam era. I regret not having a camera, because the scenery was very well done.

RG7

[Charles Duckworth]

Lee grew up on the east coast and he’d change eras and RRs on the layout. PreWW2 PRR was one, Western Pacific in the 1970’s another and Mopac in Arkansas in the late 1940’s. Didn’t one on the modeling magazines feature his layout?

[Jerry Michels]

I am just getting back to speed on the forum, and am sad to read about Lee’s passing. He was a great fellow. I had many interesting conversations with him, and he was always up on the very latest tips and techniques for his modeling. I learned a lot from him.

Charlie, I have no doubt Lee and Joe have “visited” a number of times!

Jerry Michels

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