Roll Call Tribute

Ronald Paul Free 

May 23, 1941 - December 23, 2024 

Ronald Paul Free, “Ronnie,” went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 23, 2024. A service celebrating his life and legacy will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church, with a reception to follow in Bain Hall.

Ronnie was born on May 23, 1941, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and was a lifelong, active member of the community. He is best described as faithful, loving, hardworking, humble, and a patient teacher and mentor.

In 1959, he graduated from C.E. Byrd High School. He was attending Texas A&M University until 1961, when his father suffered a fatal heart attack. At that time, Ronnie was prematurely entrusted with taking over the company his father had started in 1949, Free’s Commercial Refrigeration. For the next 63 years, the property on Samford Avenue remained the home of his entrepreneurial endeavors. It was during his work on a large power plant for SWEPCO that he met the love of his life, Margaret Sue Attaway, who became his wife for the next 61 years. Together, they combined their admirable work ethic and worked side by side, hand in hand, every day of their married life.

Ronnie’s innovative, “can-do” approach propelled him into becoming one of the industry leaders in the region and, subsequently, in the United States. He continued to lead the family business, and in the 1980s, he combined his passion for boating with his knowledge of ventilation. Responding to OSHA’s requirements for fiberglass plants, he developed Free’s Directed Airflow, a system that has been installed in manufacturing facilities worldwide. Throughout every project, Margaret was his steadfast supporter.

After retiring from commercial refrigeration and mechanical contracting, Ronnie pursued his greatest hobby: boats. In his “retirement hobby,” he transformed the Free’s property into The Boat House, a large storage facility for boats and RVs. This phase of his career surrounded him with fellow boating and RV enthusiasts, where he could often be found helping friends and customers.

In 1964, after marrying Margaret, the couple joined Broadmoor United Methodist Church and helped charter the Cornerstone Sunday School Class. For the next 60 years, their faith grew together, and they built friendships of a lifetime.

Ronnie held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (Shreveport chapter), President of the Mechanical Contractors Association, President of Goodwill Industries (Shreveport), and a Lifetime Member of the Downtown Lions Club. He also held various roles at Broadmoor United Methodist Church. However, his love and devotion to his relationship with Jesus Christ were always his top priority. He dedicated Free’s Incorporated to the glory of God in 1986 and began evangelizing through his interactions with employees and customers. Ronnie shared the Good News of Jesus by providing every customer and countless friends with quarterly mailings of The Word for You Today. He devoted his mornings to prayer and studying God’s Word, seeking to walk closer with the Lord each day.

Affectionately known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, Ronnie always put family first. His favorite days were spent with them, whether supporting their varied interests, teaching them valuable life lessons, or simply enjoying their company. He particularly cherished days spent on the water, teaching countless people to waterski on Lake Ouachita and tinkering with mechanical devices. These moments were often capped by a sunset steak dinner prepared by his first mate, Margaret.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Walter Free, and his son-in-law, Chad Hargon. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Sue Attaway Free; his daughters, Ronda Free Trawick and her husband, Steen, and Stacey Free Hargon; his five grandchildren, Allison Grace and Graham Trawick, Geron, Guy, and Grayson Hargon; his brother, Walter G. Free Jr., and wife, Judy Free, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Mark Attaway, Hoyt Bain, Ron Byrd, Richard Davenport, Gene Dickerson, Dave Fortuna, Rick Githens, Lewis Jones, Raymond Kidd, Danny McGowan, Bert “Doc” Moore, Larry Porter, Stephen Roberts, Rodney Taylor, and Jim Thompson. Honorary pallbearers include the men of the Cornerstone Sunday School Class and members of his professional business group, known to him as the Mix Group: Jim Isaac, Paul Martin, and Lee Rosenberg.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to the many visitors who brightened Ronnie’s spirits during the past several months. Your visits were a healing balm to him, and he often said, “If you don’t have friends, what do you have?”

Thank you to Dr. Richard Michael, Bristol Hospice, and his amazing team of caregivers for their attentive and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to First Methodist Church of Shreveport.

“Well done, my good and faithful servant! …Share your Master’s joy.” Matthew 25:21