Rev. John “Jack” Freed, age 95 of West Bloomfield, Michigan passed away December 20, 2022. He was born on September 6, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa and grew up in Moline, Illinois, where he attended Augustana College, majoring in Philosophy. He then attended Augustana Theological Seminary, obtaining his Divinity degree after which he was ordained as a Lutheran Pastor in 1954. Jack began his ministry serving as Pastor at three Lutheran churches simultaneously in Wisconsin: Bethlehem in Merrill, Wisconsin; Bethany in Irma, Wisconsin, and Bethel in Wausau, Wisconsin. He relocated to Grayslake, Illinois in 1962 where he founded Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church and served there until 1969. He then moved to West Bloomfield Township, Michigan where he founded Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, leading this congregation for over twenty years until 1992 when he retired from full-time ministry.

In addition to leading the various congregations, Jack served the church at large in various roles throughout his life, while also being extremely active in community service endeavors. He was one of the founding members of the West Bloomfield Clergy Association, which is still active to this day. He cofounded the Michigan Week Community Awards Breakfast Event and the Greater West Bloomfield branch of Michigan Week, which recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary and is one of the longest running of all of the Michigan communities. In 1972, he was one of the three founders of the Optimist Club that serves the greater West Bloomfield area. Jack also served as Chaplain and counselor to the West Bloomfield Township Police and Fire Departments for many years, while also serving on the West Bloomfield Township Planning Commission. He was also instrumental in organizing the annual Memorial Day Ceremony held at Pine Lake Cemetery. Upon his retirement, Jack created his email ministry and blog named “Jack’s Winning Words”, which spread words of wisdom, positivity, and inspiration to hundreds of people, sending over 5,000 daily messages up to the time of his death. His leadership, integrity, wisdom, generosity, humor, and dedication to cultural inclusivity will be missed by all.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary, of 60 years; and his parents, Harold and Margaret (nee. Haubold) Freed Johnson.

Jack leaves behind his children David (Sunny) Freed, Beth (Ben) Carter, and Jeanne Freed; his second wife, Joan Thralow of Saint Joseph, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Jason (Irene) Carter, Janel (Seth) Culbertson, John Carter, Joseph Carter, Summer Freed, and Margie Freed and great-grandchild, Kya Culbertson; and his sister, Nancy Carlmark.

Memorial Visitation for Rev. Freed will be held Tuesday, January 17th, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. His Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, January 18th, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 4800 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield. A community Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, January 19th, at 5:00 p.m. at West Bloomfield Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield.

The Memorial Service and Community Celebration will be live streamed at www.civiccentertv.com/jackfreed . 

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Jack with a donation the family requests donations be directed to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, designated to the John Freed Memorial Fund.