James Joseph “Jim” Freeder, 90, of DeLand, passed away on October 27, 2026. He was born on July 1, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of James Francis Freeder and Dorothy Catherine (Clausen) Freeder. He was the fourth James in his family. His middle name came from his beloved “Grandpa Joe” Clausen.

Jim grew up at Simonton Lake in Elkhart, Indiana, in a home his father built. He went to St. Vincent’s Catholic School and spent his boyhood biking around the lake, swimming off the raft with the other “lake guys,” and spending summers in Chicago with his grandparents. He credited them with the work ethic, values and morals that shaped his life. When he was five, his Grandparents Freeder took him to Daytona Beach instead of starting school. His grandfather believed the trip would teach him more than a classroom could, and Jim always agreed.

Jim worked nearly full-time through high school, much of it behind the soda fountain and post office counter of the neighborhood drug store. Spending time with the local stock car crew gave him a lifelong love of cars and racing, and he never forgot his blue 1951 Mercury. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1955. Days later he moved to DeLand to live with his grandparents. His friends said he’d be back within three months. More than fifty years later, he liked to point out that he had proved them wrong.

In 1956 Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 7779th Medical Group in Munich, Germany. He would end up serving over 30 years in the Army. He obtained many merits and rewards, including the Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Army Service Medal. He then came home to Florida, and DeLand remained his home for the rest of his life.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Mary; his sister, Mary Lou; and his brother, Thomas Freeder. He is survived by his son, Travis Freeder.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lankford Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church. Entombment will take place at DeLand Memorial Gardens.