ONeal Freeman Jr

Sunday, June 30, 2024

I knew him as Coach Tatum. He was my baseball coach here in Crawfordsville during the summer and my history teacher in school in the mid 1970s. I admired Coach for his passion in all that he did. He helped mold my character by his strict, yet sensible requirements of demanding common courtesy. He was a remarkable person.

Peggy Clay Bougeus

Thursday, May 25, 2023

I am a year late seeing this sad news. Readus was a good friend in college and at church camp, a good and kind man. I know he was proud of his family, and I know they must miss him terribly.

Angela Price

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

I'm at a loss....so sad about just finding out about Readus. My condolences to his family!!
He was such a shining example of a good Christian man!! No matter what he always met me with a smile at church. Anytime I asked him a question, he always gave me the wisest advice. He will be missed beyond measure!!

Doug Yates

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Readus was a great friend. He and I would sit around and talk sports and church all of the time. He helped me get through some rough patches back in the 80's and I will always cherish the wise instructions he gave me throughout the years. May God bless his family and may we all draw strength from his memory.

Patti Beard Moss

Saturday, August 20, 2022

I met Readus many years ago while he was working at Bennett Street and at Ark-La-Tex Christian Camp. We were fast friends and remained so through my Harding years. He was a fine young man then, and I know that his years in Christ made him truer and finer. I loved him, as did all who knew him. My condolences to his wife and family.

James Van Terry

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

I am lacking in the vocabulary to say. Readus/Coach I met in the 8th grade. He quickly became a man I respected and dare say loved. I remain in disbelief he is gone. I truly understand he suffered, perhaps more than most. He was my coach, then my brother in law, then family. He will be missed. My sweet sister, I pray you can find rest and comfort now. My love…

Randy Erwin

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Although it has been several years since I last saw Readus, I often think of him and the times we watched our sons play basketball at CAC, tied flies, fished and discussed spiritual matters. Two particular occasions will always stick out. First, Readus and I traveled to New Mexico together and fished the world famous San Juan River. Readus caught a monster cutthroat trout on that trip. Another was persuading him to float a portion of the Little Red River with me in my canoe. We had a great day fishing, however at the end of the day we found ourselves at Cow Shoals and a steep set of stair steps to exit the river. I ended up trying to carry Readus out on my back. His weight, plus added weight of his braces made it extremely difficult and I thought I was going to throw up when we finally got to the top. Every time we got together after that we’d bring ourselves to tears laughing about it. I never did get him to go in my canoe again. He was such a great man of God and I will always cherish our friendship.

Diane McKinney Guild

Monday, May 2, 2022

Chuck and I were extremely fond of Readus.
He was always kind and friendly to me.
He will be missed.
Sincerely, Diane

Tom Garner

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Coach Tatum was a wonderful christian man who never let his physical challenges keep him from living a life for the Lord. He was an inspiration to all of us who had him as a teacher or coach at CAC. He will always be remembered by the hundreds of students he impacted as an example of how to thrive in life despite obstacles put in your path. I will always remember many life lessons he taught us in Bible class at CAC. He is running and jumping in Heaven today!

Ancil Johnson

Friday, April 29, 2022

So sorry to hear about Readus. I knew him at FHC. He was one of the good ones. Condolence to the family.

Eloise & Jerry Oldridge

Friday, April 29, 2022

Condolences to the family. I really enjoyed teaching with him.

Greg Guillot

Friday, April 29, 2022

There was none better than Coach Tatum. Some of my best years growing up was having him as my basketball coach and teacher. I've lost touch with Josh, but I wish his family well during this time. I hope they know how much Coach Tatum meant to so many of us. For those who knew Coach, he was as good as it gets!

Gloria Westmorlan

Friday, April 29, 2022

So very sorry for your loss. Hubert and I loved your family so much. He was a special friend to Hubert. He had called me several months ago, just checking on me. I thought that was so caring of him. He was a wonderful Christian man. May God be with you and your family at this time and give you comfort.

Jack&Mary Alice Malone

Friday, April 29, 2022

Our association with Readus was when he was teaching at West Memphis Christian. Readus was a fine Christian and real fighter. We loved him and the example he was to all those that knew him.

Diane and Richard Joerger

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Rest from your toil and strife now. Godly man. Good father and husband and a blessing to family. We miss you.
Love.

Neal Terry

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Sis I am absolutely devastated over this. You can always hear I’m so sorry but that’s never the right words to give for comfort. I wish I had the exact comment/ words that would completely give comfort to you and all the loved ones. It seems if Coach has always been in our lives and he will be missed. We love you guys always.

Ray and Misty Brazzell

Thursday, April 28, 2022

I miss my friend, my brother in Christ.

Firmly fixed in place, Readus stood at the apex of life. An Immovable, constant defender of the faith. He never wavered.

It's been a tremendous fortune to know Readus and Cathy. A great inspiration. Carry on, brother, we will take it from here.

Betty Free

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Readus will be sorely missed by his church family....he was such a leader and always smiled and greeted people so warmly. I admired him so much for his faithfulness to God. He pushed on to serve God even while battling thru his pain. I loved him and I will miss him.

Betty Free

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Readus will be sorely missed by his church family....he was such a leader and always smiled and greeted people so warmly. I admired him so much for his faithfulness to God. He pushed on to serve God even while battling thru his pain. I loved him and I will miss him.

Cindy Nickel Schwartz

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Precious Readus! I remember the day you came to Bossier City and worked at ArkLaTex C. Encampment. I was a camper and counselor during your summers. Everyone wanted to know who was the big guy with all the muscles. How blessed my family was to have you come live with us in the summer! So many pong games and shooting pool on the back porch. You were the perfect encouragement for all of our youth group. All of those kids including me smile when they think of READUS! Hold on, I'll be with you one day up there. And for your information, I had to wear those shorts because I worked at a swimming pool and was a lifeguard part of the time! Much love to Cathy and your family. You were truly a Great Christian Man.

Amy Drewry

Thursday, April 28, 2022

We just heard of this heartbreaking news. What a special man and friend Mr. Tatum was. So thankful for all of the lessons he taught us and the perseverance he showed us. Love to all.

Brian and Amy Drewry.

Dempsey J Brock

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Janice and I attended FHC 67-68. Readus never saw any barriers in life, only opportunities!❤️🙏 Great man!

Donna Wolfe Martin

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Readus was a dear friend of mine, both at Freed-Hardeman and Harding. He taught me about football and was an inspiration in so many ways. He was truly a wonderful person and I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts are prayers are with Sherry (whom I also knew) and with the rest of his family that I have never had the privilege to meet.

Len Hogan

Thursday, April 28, 2022

My thoughts and prayers go out to Cathy, Jeremy & Joshua and their families.

Ray and Betsi henson

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

He was a spiritual man who influenced many. Praying for comfort for your family.

Don Sanders

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Readus was a great Christian talented man and a friend to many, and a wonderful teacher and coach. I met Readus when my dad, Ed Sanders, preached a gospel meeting in Hohenwald, TN, many years ago. Readus made my dad a fishing rod and Dad used it often. We will surely miss him. We are so sorry for your loss, Cathy and the boys and family. (Don and Patti)

Stan Williamson, Ph.D.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Truly a man who kept the faith throughout a life of great challenge. We shall not see his like again...until eternity with the Lord.