A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at the Drain Assembly of God Church, 975 Drain Section Rd., for Alvin Ray Freeman, of Yoncalla, who died March 4, 2010, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).

He was born on Jan. 28, 1940, in Los Angeles, Calif. to Rose Marie Freeman and Ernest A. Freeman. He married Barbara Sue Upton on Sept. 15, 1968 in Las Vegas, Nev.

During World War II, his parents and two brothers, Ed and Butch Freeman, moved to Mineral Wills, Texas. The family later returned to California and settled in Culver City.

He had a wonderful childhood. He always felt blessed to have had a loving family, wonderful memories and a healthy childhood.

He was in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. These organizations created opportunities for him to do the things he loved, such as going camping and fishing. He enjoyed square dancing with the neighborhood children. Eventually he took lessons and became proficient at square dancing.

The Freeman family worked very hard. At a young age, he was earning money mowing lawns, selling dogs with his brother Butch and selling Christmas trees at the family lot. Growing up he was taught that hard work and honesty were strong values.

He was a child actor and ultimately performed in two movies The Glass Wall (1953) and Riding Shotgun (1954) with Randolph Scott. He appeared with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the Colgate Comedy Hour. He also enjoyed selling newspapers and watching movies being made at RKO and MGM studios.

He loved and enjoyed his high school years. He attended Palms Junior High School in Culver City, Calif. and graduated from Venice High School in Venice, Calif. During high school, he was active in student government and athletics as a gymnast and football player.

He joined the United States Marine Corps and went to boot camp in San Diego. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton at Oceanside, Calif. He always appreciated and loved his country, and was proud to be an American. He was very patriotic and always proud of our service men and women.

He worked as a locomotive fireman, and served a formal four-year apprenticeship before becoming a journeymen electrician for the Santa Fe Railroad System. Later, he worked as a journeyman electrician for North American Rockwell Corporation's Space Division, in Seal Beach, Calif.

In 1971, he and his wife moved to a small farm in Yoncalla, Ore., where they raised their daughters, Alisha Charles and Jacque Saylor.

The active family created memories spending time raising animals, camping, fishing, snow skiing, crabbing and going to church at the Yoncalla Assembly of God and Yoncalla Christian Assembly.

He retired from Lane County as an electrician.

He enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, riding horseback and watching high school and college football. An Oregon Duck fan, he attended many University of Oregon football games at Autzen Stadium. He was also active in Yoncalla school functions.

His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. He was very patriotic and this holiday created many memories and a sense of thankfulness to his beloved country, the United States of America.

He created many fond memories for his grandchildren Breanna Saylor, Victoria Terry, Ryan Saylor and Cameron Terry, attending their sporting and school events, parades and participating in many outdoor activities with them.

He often spoke of his granddaughter Victoria Terry, who was born prematurely with disabilities, as his little hero. He was delighted by her smile, laughter and ability to surmount challenges.

In 2005, he welcomed three step-grandchildren, Michael, Sarah and Tori Charles. Al was grateful to both of his son-in-laws, Glen Charles and Gary Saylor, whom he respected and cared about, for their care for his family.

He was grateful for and loved his in-laws, the Upton family, who were special to him.

In 1998, he and his wife were able to go on a 21-day cruise and travel to three continents including Europe, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. The couple spent four memorable nights in Rome, Italy and visited the Vatican, Coliseum, Sistine Chapel and other historic places.

The trip was a big part of his life, but the experience made him love and enjoy America even more. He especially enjoyed his trips to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park and the Carlsbad Caverns.

He is survived by: his wife Barbara Sue Freeman of Yoncalla; his daughters, Alisha Charles and her husband Glen of Creswell, and Jacque Saylor and her husband Gary of Roseburg; seven grandchildren, Breanna Saylor, Victoria Terry, Ryan Saylor, Cameron Terry, Michael Charles, Sarah Charles and Tori Charles; two brothers, Ed Freeman and his wife Donna of Umpqua, Ore. and Butch Freeman and his wife Carol of Oakland, Ore. Brother Ed and wife Donna Freeman of Umpqua, Oregon; Brother Butch and wife Carol Freeman of Oakland, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He will be buried at the Fair Oaks Cemetery near Sutherlin, Oregon. His eternal resting place is Heaven.

Please join us to celebrate the life of this wonderful man and consider wearing red. He asked for this show of support for the ALS Foundation and those struggling with the disease. We also know that red is a little sassy and so was Al.