Graham Freethy-Mansfield

MSG Graham “Toby” Freethy-Mansfield, 76 years of age, was born in Ingham, Queensland, Australia on April 22, 1945 (Earth Day) to Chalfont Freethy-Mansfield and Doris Isabella Johns. Graham passed away peacefully due to natural causes on February 9, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia.

Graham was a decorated Vietnam War Veteran. He served two years in the Australian Army from 1965-1967. At the age of 21, he was deployed to Vietnam for one year from 1966-1967. When he returned to Australia, he sold his car and his boat for a one-way ticket to the United States of America. He eventually joined the U.S Army and would serve 24 years from 1970-1994.He was stationed in places like Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Germany, New Mexico, South Korea, Arizona, and Hawaii before he finally moved and retired in Georgia. He has lived in Hinesville, Georgia since September 1992. His rank at retirement was an E-8 Master Sergeant (MSG). After retiring from the military, he would begin working in the civilian workforce as a mover at Helig- Meyers furniture store. He did not like his job as a mover and began looking for another job. He then began working for Parker’s Gas Station Corporation as a Maintenance Supervisor. He stayed at Parker’s for about 12 years until his retirement from civilian life at the age of 62 in 2007.

Graham was a patriotic conservative. He loved his home country of Australia and his new home country of the United States. The military was his life and how he supported his family. As you can see, he had a strong work ethic unmatched by others. He enjoyed many hobbies, such as, collecting coins, stamps and license plates. He had an eclectic taste of music and enjoyed many genres including country, Motown, soft rock, some pop, jazz, Australian/American folk music and calypso (Harry Belafonte to be exact). His most absolute favorite thing to do was dance. That man loved to dance and would dance his heart out. He was like a wild fire spreading quickly across the dance floor. Once a fire is set ablaze, it is more difficult to extinguish. He was unstoppable and would dance your shoes off of your feet. A family friend always called him, “king of the dance floor.”

Graham was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Liberty County Chapter #789, and played a huge role in the welcome committee for the troops returning home. Many Americans opposed the Vietnam War and the Vietnam Veterans did not receive a warm welcome upon returning home. This fueled Graham’s commitment to be there for the troops because he has many veteran friends that did not receive that same welcome back.

Graham had an amazing sense of humor and got a kick out of pranking people. Everyone he encountered would have a laugh. He loved to look good, smell good and he always kept his car clean and waxed, especially before a dance. He loved attention and would often bask in it when received. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, taking pictures and had a love for travel and history. He was jolly, loyal, strong, dedicated, committed, courageous, consistent, impatient at times, organized, positive for the most, a collector, a giver, a hero and was an overall phenomenal person to be around. He had an impact on many people and he will be greatly missed. He will live forever in our hearts and memories. “Lest We Forget!”

Graham loved his entire family. He loved to tell stories and always boasted about his children and grandchildren. Whenever given an opportunity to speak about them, he took advantage and made sure everyone knew something about them. He spoke highly of every single family member and friend.

Graham is survived by his one brother, John Joseph Freethy-Mansfield (87) of Queensland, Australia; one sister, Norma Ann Perry (82) of Queensland, Australia; 4 children, Peter Graham Mansfield (51) of New Mexico, Kathy Ruth King (49) of Indiana, April Michelle Shipley (43) of New Mexico and Doris Ann Freethy-Mansfield (35) of Georgia; 7 grandchildren, Benjamin Thomas King (27), Timothy Woodrow King (21), Henry Theodore King (15), Avery Nicole Shipley (23), Ashley Harley Shipley (20), Sidney Graham Baugh (8) and Sedrick Devon Taylor Jr (5 months) and many other family members and loved ones.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and the official service will begin at 2:00 pm with military honors being rendered at the Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home in Flemington with Elder Anthony Johnson officiating. Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home 1822 E. Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, (physically in Flemington), Georgia 31313.

Mr. Freethy-Mansfield’s services will be live-streaming through the funeral homes Facebook page for family and friends unable to physically attend the service.

Inurnment will be at a later date at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, Georgia.

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home, Flemington, is handling arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Graham Freethy-Mansfield, please visit our floral store.