Obituary of Arthur Lee Freeman

Arthur Lee “Art” Freeman, 70, Harrodsburg, KY, husband of Laura Estridge Freeman, died Friday, August 6, 2021, at the Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, Danville. Born May 6, 1951, in Dayton, OH, he was the son of the late Dudley and Mary Helen (Thompson) Freeman. Art was a banking executive for several institutions and was most recently the Mayor of Harrodsburg. He was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church. Art was educated as a computer programmer and did so at Western Pioneer and Kentucky Central Life Insurance Companies. He also was a programmer for a brief time with the Kentucky Department of Highways. He got into the banking industry as a programmer but was elevated to a loan officer and later served as a Vice President. Over his 35 year career in banking, he served as Senior Lender, CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Board Member of 9 different banks. Art also served the Industry as their Trade Association Executive from 1988 to 1998, when he was appointed to be Kentucky’s Banking Commissioner by Governor Paul Patton. Under his leadership there he led the passage of important legislation that changed Kentucky’s Security Industry and opened the door for statewide bank branching. After retiring from banking, Freeman started and ran a successful PPG paint store, Fort Harrod Color & Supply, for eight years. In the fall of 2018 he was elected Mayor of Harrodsburg as a write-in candidate and served through June 2021. Other survivors include: a son: Will (Stephanie) Freeman of Lexington, KY; a brother: Bill (Marlene) Freeman of Harrodsburg, KY; and two grandchildren, Anne Parker and Benjamin Louis Freeman; several nieces and nephews. Art was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Doris Ann Carey. The Funeral Mass will be at the St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1 pm Tuesday; August 10, by Father Al DeGiacomo. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery, Harrodsburg, KY. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Monday also at the church. There is a MASK MANDATE in place for all persons at the church. Pallbearers: Mike Matherly, Tony Dunbar, Paul Bosse, Tommy Ison, Kerry Anness, Jack Coleman, Tim Kazimer, Dixon Dedman and Brad Matherly. Memorials are suggested to: Heritage Hospice, P.O. Box 1213, Danville, KY 40422. Arrangements by Ransdell Funeral Chapel, where expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.ransdellfuneralchapel.com.