James “Red” Bascom Free, a longtime resident of Apopka, passed away April 9, 2020 in Eustis, FL. He was ninety-two. Born October 6, 1927, in Elba, AL, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Geneva (Ballard) Free, and his parents: Jesse James Free and Jessie Melvira (Bryant) Free.
Free attended Holmes Community College in Mississippi, before being drafted into the United States Armed Forces, where he served as Private First Class in the National Guard during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952, and returned to college, where he eventually married his college sweetheart, Geneva Ballard, in 1953. They both loved basketball and were both inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Holmes Community College. James in 2002 and his wife in 1997.
Free came to Florida in 1955 and owned and operated Free’s Ice and Fuel until he retired in 2001. He was well known and respected throughout Apopka and the surrounding area. He supported youth sports in Apopka; he sponsored Little League teams, coached Senior League baseball and he coached basketball squads for the Apopka Recreation Department.
He is survived by his sons, Terry Alan Free (Rosemary) and Kerry James Free; Granddaughters, Stefanie Spencer Lane and Samantha Rae Free. A staunch family man, he and his wife also helped raise two nieces through their high school years, Patricia (Glenn) Webb and Patricia Ann (Free) Kilkenny.
Because of the COVID19 stay-at-home order, no services are planned. Individuals wishing to honor Mr. Free are encouraged to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, at https://act.alz.org/donate .