Michael Stuart Freshwater was born on April 3, 1950, in St. Petersburg, FL to loving parents Elmer and Elizabeth Freshwater.  Surrounded by his family, Mike died on April 14, 2024, at the young age of 74.  As the eldest of four siblings he grew up loving basketball and cross country running. He attended and graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) with a Masters in Engineering that led him into a 37-year career as an environmental health engineer for Wausau and Liberty Mutual Insurance companies. Mike moved to Dallas, TX in 1976 in time to make Texans of his two sons, Stephen and Patrick.  Mike married his wife and partner in faith, Sue Stanard, on August 19, 1983 where he added a daughter, Emily, and gained two stepsons, Jeffrey and Michael. Until his grandkids were born, he loved nothing more than watching his children excel at soccer, football, band, choir, and military service. His investment in youth extended beyond his family through a decade of service on the White Rock YMCA Board of Directors.

Mike and his family called Highland Park United Methodist Church home before he and Sue moved to Midlothian, TX in 2008 where they became active members of First Baptist Midlothian. There, he found his calling as a volunteer with Noah's Ark Bible School, Git 'R Done ministry, the motorcycle ministry, church ushering, and the leader of Divorce Care for 10 years. To serve his country in his own way, he volunteered as one of the only non-veteran members of the Patriot Guard to honor those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

In his free time, he loved nothing more than pouring his heart and soul into time with his grandkids or sitting around a fire with his friends on an interstate RV camping trip. (We won't talk about the Harley years!)

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elizabeth Freshwater and stepsons Jeffrey and Michael Kalldin. He is survived by his wife - Sue Freshwater, siblings – David Freshwater, Susan Shoemaker, and Patti Todd, children - Stephen and his wife Blair, Patrick, Emily Stanley and her husband Eric, daughter-in-law – Lisa Kalldin, grandchildren - Anthony, Nicholas, David, Ella, Robert, Matthew, Aubrey, Eva, Graham, Walker, and Taylor, and his puppy – Verdell.

He was a man of faith, family, and country with a heart to serve knowing the love of Jesus Christ and His promise of heaven. A loving son, brother, father, grandfather (gaga) and friend that will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, Mike desired gifts be made to FBC Midlothian at fbcmidlo.com/give/ with note: Mike Freshwater Memorial.