Kennard Preston Freed, Jr.

Kennard P. Freed, Jr., 78, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at his residence after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/vascular dementia.

Born on May 21, 1944 in York, he was a son of the late Kennard P. and Margaret E. (Shirey) Freed, Sr. He was a 1962 graduate of Dallastown High School. Kennard owned Ken’s Distributing for over 30 years until his retirement. Prior to being a successful business owner, he also was a delivery driver for Schmidt’s Baking Company and was a milkman for Rutters Dairy. Kennard also worked at Danskin as well as Keystone Weaving. One thing that was consistent was that he was always a very hard worker. However, nothing compared to his job as a single father, raising a daughter, at which he excelled.

Mr. Freed loved to drag race in his 1931 Ford Model A pickup in the 1960’s and 70’s. He was very proud of the three track records he held at one time and the many trophies he won. Some of his favorite race tracks were York U.S. 30, South Mountain Dragway, and Cecil County Dragway. He was also an avid NASCAR fan.

Kennard is survived by his daughter, Kendra A. Gillespie and her husband, Timothy of York; three grandchildren, Gregory Freed-Vinson, Tre Gillespie and Naya Gillespie; four step-grandchildren, Andrew Barnes, Shahan Gillespie, LaTeasha Ritter and Savey Joyner; two great-grandchildren, Zendaya and Zaiyden; four step-great-grandchildren, Keyshaun, Savion, Ja’nye and Jolei; three sisters, Bonnie L. Seitz and her husband, Burnell of Jacobus, Brenda Wendell and her husband, Dan of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Denise M. Harlacker and her husband, Tom of Jacobus; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a niece, Cynthia Hartman, and a nephew, Timothy Seitz.

A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Pl., Red Lion with Chaplain Timothy George officiating. A viewing will be from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Christ United Methodist Cemetery, Jacobus.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Dr., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

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