J. (James) Barrie Frees, age 79, of Upper Providence Township, formerly of East Vincent Township, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021 in the Brandywine Senior Living. Born on November 22, 1942 in Phoenixville Pennsylvania to the late David McFeat Frees and Margaret M. McElfatrick Frees. Mr. Frees was predeceased by his wife, Jane Symons Frees, and son James (Jamie) B. Frees, II.

Barrie is survived by his daughter, Vida C Kern, wife of Carl Kern of Sewell, New Jersey, and daughter-in-law, Michelle Mayfield Frees, wife of the late Jamie Frees of East Coventry, Pennsylvania. His beloved grandchildren, Gardner Kern and Mckinley Frees. Karen Elsmore (daughter), Elizabeth, Alex and Murphy Elsmore (grandchildren). He is also survived by his sister Carol Crew, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, David M. Frees.

Mr. Frees was a lifelong resident of Northern Chester County. Residing in Phoenixville before moving to East Vincent as a youngster where he returned to live with his family following his time in the military and continued to live until he could no longer remain at home.

He was a graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School, Class of 1960, earned a B.S. in Forestry at West Virginia University (1965) and M.A. in Operations Management at University of Southern California (1970).

He earned the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Barrie served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war as a radar navigator, Strategic Air Command B-52 combat crew based out of Mather and Beale Air Force Bases in Northern California. He commenced his military career as a member for the Air Force ROTC at West Virginia University commissioned as Second Lieutenant upon graduation.

Mr. Frees worked as a sales manager/representative for various technology companies including Teligent, Inc., Omnipoint Communications, Inc., Matsushita Electronics Corporation (Quasar), CPT Corporation, Exxon Office Systems and XEROA Corporation. before retiring in 2005.

He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Knauertown, Pennsylvania where he served as deacon from 1998 to 2001.

Barrie was a member of the Owen J. Roberts School Board from December 1979 through December 1987, serving as Board President from December 1982 to December 1983.
He was a member of the Phoenixville Jaycees, serving as Internal Vice President for period of time. He was a baseball coach for Norchester Little League and involved with Boy Scouts of America as a youth and adult. While at West Virginia University, he was a member of the Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Mr. Frees enjoyed time at his hunting cabin, Mountaineer Lodge, in Tioga County and attending West Virginia University Mountaineer football games. He also enjoyed whitewater rafting trips with family and friends to West Virginia. Barrie enjoyed watching all sports and played basketball, football and ran track for Owen J. Roberts. He undertook a cross country trip at the age of 15 to Alaska in 1958.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral ceremony at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., 610 South Main Street, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM (noon). Officiating will be Pastor Peter K. Detterline. Burial will be held in the Pughtown Baptist Church Cemetery, Spring City, Pennsylvania. Friends will be received from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the J. Barrie Frees Memorial Fund, c/o Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust, 120 s. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, for a scholarship for an Owen J. Robert’s graduate attending Barrie’s beloved alma mater, West Virginia University.