1SG (Ret.) Danny W. Free

1SG (Ret.) Danny W. Free, 66, died of cancer at 10:05 PM on 9 November 2019, peacefully at his home, with his wife, Kathleen, lying by his side. Danny was born 2 August 1953, in Detroit, MI, the son of James and Clara Free. His family moved to Kentucky when Danny was 4, as his dad worked at Ford.

Danny graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. At the age of 17, he joined the Army. He was stationed in Italy, where he had the time of his life! After his initial tour of duty, he enjoyed civilian life, working at many different places, and eventually becoming a chef at the Executive West (Now Crown Plaza), where he met the love of his life. He rejoined the Army, and he and his wife were married on 6 November 1982. They were married for 37 years and together a total of 40. The family joined Danny in Germany, where they visited many countries and enjoyed the many sites of the country. He showed them the world! Danny was in Lance Missiles, C Battery, 1/80th in Aschaffenburg, Germany. He had the honor of winning competitions to shoot an actual missile, while in Crete, Greece on four different occasions! After 6 plus years in Germany, he was assigned to recruiter duty and the family was California bound! Danny then converted to 79R, where he eventually ascended to 1SG in the Kansas recruiting battalion. It was a job he loved! After returning to Kentucky, Danny retired on 31 July 2001. He was an integral part of the “GO ARMY.COM” online recruiting organization at USAREC, Fort Knox. He then moved on to the “PAYS” team until he finally retired in 2013. He and his best dog, Snoodle, and 8 cats, spent their days walking around his plantation and watching South Park and Sponge Bob, while fiercely supporting President Donald J. Trump. MAGA!

Along with his parents, his older brother, James “Dale” Free, were waiting to welcome him into heaven. There is a great game of Rook being played in Heaven now! Also welcoming him through the pearly gates, was his mother-in-law, “His Lawyer”, Ida Lou Goodwin, to tell him, “Job well done” and to thank him for taking such good care of her daughter and grandson. Left here heartbroken, are Kathleen L. Free, his spoiled wife; his very loved son, Craig A. Free; his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Rose Wolfe; his father-in-law and wife, William and Joyce Wolfe; his best man, David Free, and sister-in-law, Rhonda Free; Dale’s wife, Theresa Free; and Dale’s son and daughter, Jason Free and Angie Free; his sister, Edith Hamann; his nieces, Holly “Dolly” Free and Kimberly Shelton; and his nephews, Mike and Scott Imbery.

Danny’s visitation will be held at his home at 118 Larkspur Lane, Brandenburg, KY 40108 (In the Doe Valley community) on Saturday, 16 November, from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and on Sunday, 17 November, from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Graveside services, with full military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, 18 November, at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY. The funeral procession will leave from Danny’s home at 10:30 AM. For anyone wishing to join the procession, please meet at the house by 10:15 AM. Please join the family to celebrate Danny’s life.

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