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Philip H. Freestone, 69

Philip “Philie, Poppie, DaddyO” Howard Freestone, 69, passed away peacefully in his home on March 5, 2018, in the loving arms of his wife, son and daughter … exactly the way he would have wanted it.

He fought long. He fought hard. He was courageous and brave. He handled all life’s obstacles with optimism and grace and never complained a day in his life. He died the way he lived; full of love and strength. We should all aspire to be the caliber of man he was.

Phil was born Oct. 14, 1948, in Fort Bragg, N.C., to James and Margaret Freestone. The son of a Major in the U.S. Army, he moved every two to three years. He lived various places around the United States, Japan, Hong-Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and went on to graduate from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He worked for McDonald’s Corporation for 25 years and was an Owner-Operator of the Sandpoint and Kellogg McDonald’s for 21 years. He loved to work and he loved his people, retiring only five days before his passing.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, whom he cherished for 48 years. They met at a group beach trip in Long Beach, Wash. On that very day, he told his cousin “I’m going to marry that woman.” Kathy was his partner and teammate in everything in life. They were as one as two can be. They were everything a married couple should strive to be. They loved and laughed and raised two of the luckiest kids in the world. Phil lives on in her and their shared love for life, family and all things happy.

Phil is also survived by his son, Michael and his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Lindsey and her husband, Justin Greene, and their two children Jimmy and Junie Bug “Who Baby;” his best friend, Bob; and many other loving friends and family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Freestone and Margaret Austin; sister Sherry Patterson and brother-in-law Ron Patterson; sister April Haycock and brother-in-law Bob Haycock; in-laws, Harold and Edie Sauer; and brother-in-law Mike Gilbertsen.

Phil wasn’t just a husband and a father of two children and two grandchildren. He was a father and mentor to a countless number of individuals. He made everyone feel welcome and a part of his family. Above and beyond everything else in life, Phil loved his family and spending time together. He felt that the key to happiness was good family, good friends and a great wife. He will be missed beyond measure.

A celebration of life will be held for Philip H. Freestone at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Hagadone Event Center at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, 900 S. Floating Green Drive, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, remembrance donations may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org; Kootenai Humane Society, 11650 N. Ramsey Road, Hayden, ID 83835, www.kootenaihumanesociety.com; or Ronald McDonald House of Spokane, 1015 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204, www.rmhcinlandnw.org.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Phil’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.