SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
In Memory
of
Eddie Baker Freeman Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Eddie Baker Freeman Jr., who died on
May 17, 2023, at the age of 67; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Freeman Jr. was born on December 3, 1955, in
Austin; he attended Anderson High School in East Austin until it
was closed in 1971 to further desegregation, and he graduated from
Reagan High School in 1974; Eddie went on to attend The University
of Texas at Austin, where he joined the Eta Theta Chapter of Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity and met his future wife, Zelda Choice; and
WHEREAS, Eddie moved to Dallas with his fiancée in 1980 and
earned a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in
business administration from Dallas Baptist University, where he
became a member of the Omicron Gamma Gamma Graduate Chapter of
Omega Psi Phi and forged lifelong connections with his fraternity
brothers; and
WHEREAS, Passionate about social justice and committed to
the pursuit of equality, Eddie served as the director of
diversity, equity, and inclusion at The University of Texas at
Arlington; he also served as the executive director of equal
opportunity services and as president of the African American
Faculty and Staff Association, and he made great strides in
fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the university's
students, staff, and faculty members; and
WHEREAS, Eddie was a member of the Sports Corporation for
the City of Grand Prairie; he promoted athletic excellence and a
spirit of camaraderie within the community, and he enjoyed
cheering for his favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas
Rangers, and the Dallas Mavericks; and
WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion, Eddie was a
member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for 43 years; he contributed
to the fellowship's Christian education ministry and served as an
elder for more than three decades; and
WHEREAS, Eddie was a caring husband to his wife of 42
years, Zelda Choice Freeman, and a loving father to their three
children, Kathryn Freeman, Eddie Freeman, and Candace Freeman
Memphis, who were a source of great pride and joy to him; and
WHEREAS, An advocate for inclusive representation and the
equality and civil rights of all people, Eddie was an inspiration
to all who knew him, and his memory will be forever treasured by his
many loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of Eddie Baker Freeman Jr.;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Eddie Freeman Jr.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on June 30, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate