James M. Freeman, MD

James Marvin Freeman, MD, 94, of Albany, Georgia, died July 13, 2026, at his home.

Jim was born January 21, 1932, in Oglethorpe, Georgia, to Clifford Mills Freeman and Mary Alma Hannah Freeman, one of six children. He grew up in rural Georgia during the Depression, which taught him early the value of hard work — a lesson he carried the rest of his life. He was raised in Albany, GA. Tall and athletic, he played football, baseball, and basketball at Albany High School, graduating in 1950, and went on to play minor league baseball. He served in the United States Navy as a medic during the Korean War, then attended the University of Georgia on the GI Bill before earning his M.D. at the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

In 1966 he married Shannon McCoy, and they moved to New Orleans, where he built his practice at Southern Baptist Hospital and was among the surgeons pioneering cardiovascular surgery in that region. In 1976 they came home to Albany, and he did it a second time — setting out to build something that did not yet exist in southwest Georgia: a cardiovascular and thoracic surgery program. It took years of persuasion as much as skill. He brought in partners, grew the practice, and on June 8, 1983, assisted in the first open-heart surgery ever performed in south Georgia, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Forty years later, Phoebe marked the anniversary of that operation as the foundation of the heart program it has today. Thousands of people in this region have never had to leave home for cardiac care because of the work Jim and his colleagues began. After retiring from surgery he practiced at the Wound Care Center, emphasizing limb salvage, and kept working until he was nearly 85. Jim was close to his sister Margaret, who ran the office of his practice for decades. She was family and colleague both, and he trusted her completely.

If you had to name one thing about Jim, it was how hard he worked — long hours, complete dedication, and a fierce advocacy for his patients. While he did not particularly enjoy the business side of medicine, he loved was the work itself, and the people it let him help.

Away from the hospital, he loved being outdoors. He and Shannon both earned their pilot's licenses. He bought 300 acres and raised Arabian horses at Southern Pines Equestrian Center, and his children and grandchildren grew up in the middle of it — around the barns, on the horses, out in the fields. Windy shared that love of horses with him from the beginning, and they spent years going to and competing in horse shows together. Kathy carried the same love of animals in her own direction, becoming an accomplished dog breeder and show handler, with wins at Westminster to her name. He was a fine golfer who competed at the amateur tournament level and he was active as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Jim was funny and smart. If you knew Jim and Shannon, you knew he understood exactly when he was in charge — in the operating room — and when he was not, which was at home.

Jim used his professional success to open doors for his children. He supported Windy in following her mother into nursing, where she became a superb RN and has cared for many people including her own father; he put Martye through medical school to follow him into medicine; he backed Jimmy in starting his own business; and he stood behind Kathy in the life she built for herself. Whatever any of them set out to do, he was behind it.

He was preceded in death by Shannon McCoy Freeman, his wife of 55 years; his brothers, Harlan Edwin Freeman, Clifford Earl "Cliff" Freeman, and Richard Delano "Dick" Freeman; and his sister, Julia Margaret Freeman Dupre.

Survivors include his children, Windy (Andy) Lenard of Leesburg, Georgia; James "Jimmy" (Amila) Freeman of Seattle, Washington; Kathy (Terry) Lehman of Newberry, Florida; and Martye Marshall of Bluefield, Virginia. His daughter-in-law Amila, who played tennis at UGA, was loved as one of his own — and, as Jimmy has always said, was the son his father never had. His grandchildren are Jeremy Munnings, Brooke Lenard, Jennifer Kight, Emily Kight, Lauren Adkins, Alma Freeman — named for his mother — and Atria Freema. He also leaves a great-grandchild. And a sister, Shirley Freeman. 

In his last years he was surrounded by his family. Windy, a nurse, and his grandson Jeremy looked after him day to day; Martye, a doctor, checked on him; Kathy came often from Florida; and Jimmy saw that he was provided for. He was, to the end, well loved. Ami Bennett with Akti-Care also providing ongoing in-home care and support, for which the family is grateful.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home, 3206 Gillionville Road, Albany. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery. Dr. William A. "Biff" Coker will officiate.

Those desiring may make memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Heifer International.

May his memory be a blessing.