J. Saunders "Sandy" Freels, Jr.  died peacefully on July 19, 2023, after years of battling diabetes and complications that accompany the disease.  He was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather and will be dearly missed.  A man of integrity and honor, he was a true, loyal friend and will always be remembered for his genuine concern for his fellow man.

Sandy was born on February 8, 1943, in Sherman, Texas. At the time, he and his mother were living with her parents Dr. and Mrs. H.I. Stout while his father was stationed in the Pacific during World War II.  After the war, the young family moved to Denison where Sandy's father's family had lived since the 1880's.  Proud to call Denison home all his life, Sandy attended Central Ward School, McDaniel Junior High School and graduated from Denison High School in 1961. In 1960 he was selected by the American Legion to attend the Legion-sponsored Boys State in Austin, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and went on to earn his law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.

Sandy's first job after graduating law school in 1969 was with the Grayson County Attorney's office where his entry into the profession was truly baptism by fire.  Within a year of graduating law school, Sandy was involved in trying numerous capital murder cases, all of which resulted in convictions.  That early trial experience served him well throughout his career.

In 1970 while working in the County Attorney's office, Sandy met his future wife Valerie Wood who was employed there for the summer while home from college.  The two were married on January 16, 1971.

In 1973 Sandy left the county attorney's office and entered private practice.  In 1978 he was appointed by the County Commissioners to fulfill the unexpired term of Judge Hal Rawlins for the County Court at Law #2.  At his swearing in ceremony, District Judge R.C. Vaughn told Sandy, "There are three things a good judge always remembers on the bench---to have patience, patience, and more patience."  That advice was Sandy's mantra throughout his life.  He remained on the bench for a second term and then returned to private practice until his retirement in 2016.

Sandy was a member of Waples Memorial Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, was on the Finance Committee, the Staff Parish Committee, and the Trustee Committee.  As a young man, Sandy was active in DeMolays and went on to become a Mason and served as Past Master of Lone Star Lodge 403.    He was also a member of the Grayson County Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas where he served as president of the grievance committee.    Sandy was one of the original directors of the former American Bank of Texas. One of his greatest joys was working with his sons and other boys in Boy Scout Troop 605.

An avid outdoorsman, Sandy was happiest fishing Yellowstone National Park with his two sons, pheasant hunting with friends in South Dakota, or deer hunting throughout Texas. Hunting or fishing with Sandy was not all about the "trophy", but about enjoying the great outdoors and time spent with family and friends.  Anyone who spent time with Sandy on hunting or fishing trips always came back with stories to tell and quoting Sandy's sage outlook on life known as "Sandyisms."

Sandy is survived by Valerie, his wife of 52 years, and their two sons Trey and his wife Tricia of Frisco, Texas and Andrew and his wife Chassity of St. Louis, Missouri.  Also, Sandy is survived by six grandsons, Kameron Freels, Will Freels, Hudson Freels, Drew Freels, Zach Smith, and Hayden Smith. He is predeceased by his parents, Saunders and Margaret Stout Freels and a brother John Arthur Freels.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Waples United Methodist Church in Denison, Texas. Attendees are invited to a reception immediately following the memorial service at Waples United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.waldofuneralhome.com .