James Richard Freebourn Jr. — Jim — died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at his Vashon home surrounded by his loving family after a 13-year battle with Leiomyosarcoma.

Freebourn was born April 6, 1959, in Erie, Penn., to James Richard Freebourn Sr. and Carol Kufner Freebourn. Freebourn spent most of his childhood in Southampton, Mass., graduating from Hampshire Regional High School in 1977. He attended Brigham Young University in Utah.

Freebourn moved to Vashon in 1991 where he and his business partner Javier Sotelo opened Country Comfort Construction, now called Cornerstone Construction. In November 2006 Freebourn and Sotelo bought Bloom’s and were running a successful florist shop along with their construction company.

Freebourn was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as a member of the Vashon Branch Presidency, as a member of the Stake High Council and as the Branch Mission Leader for many years. As the Mission Leader, he met with youth and their families from around the world, helping them to grow as young adults as well as become teachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Freebourn had many interests: traveling, meeting new people, building and construction, interior design, animals of all kinds and most importantly his family, friends and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Freebourn is survived by his business partner and best friend Javier Sotelo, his parents James and Carol Freebourn of Phoenix, Ariz., sisters Lee Anne Freebourn and Wendy S. Rusnock, also of Phoenix, brother Garrett A. Freebourn and his wife Patty of Vashon, nieces and nephews Caroline, Stephen and Jessica Rusnock of Phoenix, and Garrett and Rachael Freebourn of Vashon.

Freebourn will be greatly missed by his dear friends Lyn and Larry Buxton, along with his many friends on the Island, in the church and around the world, family said.

A funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Vashon.

Donations in Freebourn’s name can be made to The Perpetual Education Fund (15 East S. Temple 2nd Floor East, Salt Lake City Utah, 84150) or the Vashon Island Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 1413, Vashon, 98070).

Visit the guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.