Robert “Bob” Dale Freeman, 89, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, formerly of Marionville, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2024.
Bob was born April 12, 1934, in Hutchinson, Kansas. He grew up around Hutchinson and Great Bend, Kansas, and graduated from Buhler High School in 1953. After high school, he joined the Navy and was stationed on Whidbey Island, Washington. He served active duty and was appointed as a third-class aviation electronics technician before he was honorably discharged in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wichita (now Wichita State University) in 1964.
He married Jonelle “Jo” Faye Hill on May 29, 1955, in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Bob had a long, distinguished career in the broadcasting industry, primarily in the Wichita and Pittsburg, Kansas, markets. His first post was as a night disc jockey at KWBW in Hutchinson. He took an overnight position at KFBI in Wichita while attending the University of Wichita during the day. He was on air and part of the sales team for KLEO in Wichita before founding KEYN in 1967. KEYN was the first stereo FM rock station west of the Mississippi. The ownership was later expanded in 1974 with partners Lowell Denniston and Frank Carney. Over time, the business expanded to Oklahoma City and Pueblo, Colorado, through American Media. Bob eventually sold his portion of KEYN. In 1981, he invested in KKOW in Pittsburg, Kansas as well as Campbell Point Marina on Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob, Missouri. During his broadcasting career, he was known as a master of promotions for developing several popular contests and events. These included events at Joyland, on-air jokes like the Five Dollar Bill Offer, Free Turkey Dinner and the Rock of Wichita. He also wrote and produced an outdoor sports show for many years at KEYN and KKOW.
He had many interests and hobbies throughout his life. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He competed in several fishing competitions and collected lures. He also collected classic cars and RVs. Some of his favorite crafts included wood carving and leather working. He was always interested in the latest gadgets and was an early adopter of new technology. He maintained a ham radio license for many years and used the callsign N0MOV. He was a certified scuba diver and licensed pilot. Bob loved the Lord and served him throughout his life. He was a long-term member at the First Christian Church of Shell Knob, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Jonelle, of the home; a son, Robert Freeman of Fort Scott; a daughter, Merry Kay (Jeff) Rindt of Tulsa; five grandchildren, Jessica (Jake) Clements of Richmond, Vermont, Robert (Jessica) Freeman of Madison, Wisconsin, Shara Freeman, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cassidy (Andrew) Meredith of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and McKenzie (Brett) Gudgel, of Portland Oregon; five great-grandchildren, Dylan and Evan Clements of Essex Junction, Vermont, Macy and Matthew Gudgel of Portland, Oregon, and Parker Meredith of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Frances Hayes in 1986 and his son, Alan Jeffrey Freeman in 2023.
A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Williams Funeral Home in Marionville, Missouri, with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. A private burial will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Online condolences may be shared at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeMo.com.
