Murray Mallee community to pay tribute beloved chaplain Jim Freak
Hundreds are expected to attend the funeral of a popular SA country chaplain as the community pays tribute to a man who came to the rescue of those on their knees.
Adelaide Hills & Murraylands
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The Murray Mallee community is expected to turn out in the hundreds to pay tribute to the life of beloved chaplain Jim Freak.
Jim passed away on February 16 at 77 years old after a brave battle with brain cancer and tributes have flown for a man described as a true gentleman, compassionate and a great family man.
His care and guidance was felt all around the region and he was renowned for his chaplain work inside prisons and at sports clubs.
Jim’s chaplain work provided crucial hope to reforming inmates at the local prison as part of Kairos Ministries and in 2014, he became the state’s first country football league chaplain, volunteering his time to provide support for young men facing adversity.
A trailblazer in breaking down the stigma of mental health, Jim’s work provided a safe avenue for footballers and administrators to discuss issues they could not elsewhere.
Local sportsman Daniel Matthews, who was touched by Jim’s work and became a close friend, paid tribute to the life of a man who provided him guidance.
“I lost one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had and ever will have who literally came to my rescue when I was on my knees,” he said.
“He was the most kind, caring, honest and genuine person I have ever known and I am so grateful he came into my life.”
The River Murray Football League paid tribute and described Jim as a “shoulder to cry on” for not just players and officials, but also by the families connected.
“Our football community is at the heart of our communities and for many years, Jim had been caring for personnel at every level – both on and off the field by providing trusted care to all,” the league said in a statement.
“The football community has lost a dear irreplaceable friend and trusted confidante … we’ve lost a great man, but we will remember him with respect, admiration and love, always.”
In his earlier life, Mr Freak was a member of the Karoonda community while working with the highway department before moving to Murray Bridge to work in occupational health and safety.
He was an active member of the Murray Bridge Uniting Church community, he umpired games of River Murray football and joined the Murray Bridge Bowling Club and always liked to keep on the move.
He was a keen participant of Murray Bridge Park Run, completing the 5km park before he collapsed at a River Murray football game in 2020 and flown to Flinders Medical Centre – the beginning of his brave battle.
Widow Patsy said Jim was a great family man who would be remembered fondly.
“(He was) energetic, full of passion, he liked people and listening to people and hearing their stories and he loved his family and his four grandchildren adored him,” she said.
Pasty thanked the Lerwin Nursing Home and its staff for making the last seven months of Jim’s life comfortable.
Jim’s Funeral will be held on Friday, February 24 at 10.30am at the Murray Bridge Uniting Church, 1 Narooma Blvd, Murray Bridge.
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