Ray DuChene Free, 92, a former Utah legislator and a retired major general in the U.S. Army Reserve, died Friday, Aug. 9, 2002, in Salt Lake City.
Mr. Free served for five years in the Pacific theater during World War II and received the Purple Heart. He continued to serve with the Army Reserve where he attained the rank of major general and was also commander of the 96th ARCOM, deputy chief of the Reserve Components USAR and served as national president of the Reserve Officers Association.
He owned and operated Hygeia Ice Co., Hygeia Iceland and Carbo Chemical Co. for more than 40 years. He helped establish Sugarhouse Park and was a trustee there for many years.
He helped organize and was the first president of Granite National Bank and was a member of the Sugar House Rotary Club. He was also active in the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America and had received the Silver Antelope Award.
Mr. Free served for more than 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives,
A graduate of the University of Utah, he was a steady supporter of Ute football and basketball and received the "Super Fan" award from the U. in 1999.
Active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had served as a high council member, bishop and a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. He had also served in the Swiss-German Mission.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. in the Winder 9th LDS Ward chapel, 1475 E. 4705 South. Friends may call Monday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 Highland Drive, and Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel prior to services. Burial will be in Elysian Burial Gardens.