Virginia Beach  ~ Ronald Carl Freeman Jr., 50, lovingly known by all as “Man,” transitioned from this life surrounded by family, just as God intended, in a moment filled with love, peace, and presence. Born in 1975, Man was a proud graduate of Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri, but his life was far bigger than any single place. Man had a way of appearing wherever his family was. Whether across town, in a neighboring state, or many miles away, he followed love, connection, and the comfort of familiar faces.

He lived life on his own terms—unapologetically, freely, and boldly. We didn’t always understand his choices, and sometimes we wished we could change his path. But Man had a vision of life that revolved around closeness, laughter, and family togetherness every single day. While the rest of us saw that dream as impossible, Man carried it with him wherever he went, visiting relatives in different cities and states to recreate that closeness in his own way. A man of deep heart and simple joys, Man found his greatest happiness in family. To him, family wasn’t just important—it was everything. In the end, he may have understood something about life that many of us overlook.

Man was a Christian who believed in love, prayer, and connection. He would help anyone at any time, often giving what little he had if it meant comforting someone else. With a smile, a joke, or a simple “I’m good,” he knew how to ease worry—even when he carried burdens of his own.
He loved all sports, even golf—something the family teased him about often. His knack for predicting winning teams, even as a young child, was legendary. His hobbies weren’t about things; they were about people. His favorite pastime was simply being with his family, sharing stories, food, and laughter.

Man was unapologetically himself—stubborn, free-spirited, loving, and unforgettable. He lived life exactly the way he wanted, for better or for worse, and in doing so taught everyone around him about authenticity, resilience, and accepting people as they are. Though the family did everything they could to help him through life’s struggles, Man had his own rhythm, his own way, and his own definition of freedom.

Though his passing brings immense grief; his spirit, his humor, his stubbornness, and his enormous heart will live on in every story retold, every memory cherished, and every smile sparked by his name. He reminded us that love, family, and togetherness are what truly matter.
Ronald Carl Freeman Jr.— got it right.

We will love him forever.

He is survived by his devoted mother, Marilyn; his siblings Leslie, Allen (Kena), Rochelle (Mark), Angie, Sharon (Maurice), and Michael (Shaela); as well as beloved aunts, uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives he touched deeply.