FREEMAN GROAT

FREEMAN GROAT

ANTIOCH, Tenn. — Freeman Glen Groat, age 90, passed away Friday, February 21, 2020 in Antioch, TN. Born July 6, 1929 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Freeman found his love for singing at the age of 14, walking by a barbershop full of men singing. After graduating from Fort Dodge Senior High School, he studied music at Fort Dodge Community College, Buena Vista College, Wartburg College and St. Petersburg Junior College. He took a break from 1951-62 to serve in the Air Force attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. That break didn’t stop his love of singing! He started quartets wherever he served. After serving his country, Freeman obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Music (voice) from The Florida State University.

Many people throughout the world have enjoyed the richness of his wonderful bass voice. He shared his musical talent at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, where many couples were honored to have him sing the Lord’s Prayer at their weddings. When his job as Purchasing Agent with Coats Company was moved to the Nashville TN area in 1972, people attending the Methodist Church in LaVergne TN discovered his musical abilities and quickly put that talent to work. The past few years he thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and faith of the Seventh Day Adventist Church congregation.

He leaves behind his beloved Barbershop Harmony Society where he became the first life-time member of SPEBSQSA and Director Emeritus of the Music City Chorus, everyone who sang in a chorus or “Tag”, a multitude of people who, under his direction “joyfully” endured his pursuit of perfection, and all who were fortunate to hear him sing!

His sister, Doris Ann (Groat) Lake, and her husband Abe, along with his parents Daniel F. Groat and Mable A. (Rogness) Groat welcome him with open arms. Left behind to cherish his memory are his brother, Myron Groat (Joann) of Fort Dodge, Iowa, 6 nieces and nephews, Craig (Sally) Lake of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Gail (Dave) Hudnut of Holt, MI, Carol (Gary) Leser of Saginaw, MI, Julie (Bob) Tarbox of Ames IA, Mark (Shelli) Groat of Otho, IA, and Mike Groat of Davenport, IA. Also left to cherish his memory are his dear neighbors, especially Joe and Janet Marsh, and the wonderful staff at The Bridge at Hickory Woods.

A celebration of Freeman’s life will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2815 Elam Road, Murfreesboro TN on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. The church will host refreshments following the service for family and friends to gather and share memories. As he lived his life by helping others, he has donated his body to Vanderbilt University. Expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Murfreesboro, or the Barbershop Harmony Society.