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Milton Frank Freestone, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004 in Farmington. He was born May 8, 1932 in Verden, New Mexico. He was the son of Milton Ashton and Evelyn Freestone. His father died when Milton was three years old and he grew up under the loving care of his mother, Evelyn and his second father, Ernest Lee Bowman. Milton or "Buster" as he was called most of his life, had a great love and respect for Ernest Bowman. Milton graduated from Espanola High School at age 16 as his class Valedictorian and turning down academic and athletic college scholarships began his working life with the Santa Fe Lumber Company. He married Bobbie Evelyn Williams on January 28, 1950 in Taos, New Mexico. Milton began his career as a Steam Fitter as an apprentice at Los Alamos, NM. He quickly developed great skill in welding and worked all over the United States as a "Heavy Wall Welder". He also had a marked ability for leadership and managed many large construction projects including one which took his family to New Zealand for two years. He spent more than 20 years as a welding instructor for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 412 apprenticeship program. This training was performed after normal work hours, yet he was always willing to spend extra time helping any of his students. Milton and Bobbie served a one year Genealogical Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after his retirement. They also spent many years working in the Temple in Albuquerque, NM. He held many leadership positions in the church since he joined in his mid-thirties. In addition to being a loving husband and father, Milton loved to hunt and shoot competitively. He was very pleased to have been a member of last years National Championship Hunter Benchrest Shooting Team. He leaves a legacy of selfless service, kindness and untarnished integrity. His strength, willing hands and lively witt will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bobbie Evelyn, and sisters Loraine Livermore, Sally Winn, and Ruth Gibson; sons, David Freestone, Wayne Freestone, Michael Freestone, Todd Freestone and Andrew Butcher. He is preceded in death by his father, Milton Ashton, son, Randall Lee, his mother, Evelyn, second father, Ernest Bowman and brothers Fred Zumwalt and Joe Bowman and Grandson Andrew Todd Freestone. Milton and Bobbie have 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute Street, Farmington. 325-8688.
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