Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Carroll, Grambling, and NFL standout Solomon Freelon was born to the late Lucille Freelon and Solomon Freelon Sr. on February 19, 1951 in Monroe, LA. Solomon went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. He attended Little Flower Academy and graduated from Carroll High School and Grambling State University. Solomon was a goal-oriented person. He realized his ticket for success early in life and set his sights on fulfilling his dreams. He left Little Flower Academy to pursue a football career since Little Flower only offered basketball. Solomon was a member of the Carroll High School football championship legacy when Carroll was a powerhouse in high school football. Solomon was known as "Big Homie" and was among the elite football players who contributed to the success of the winning athletic program, playing as a ferocious on the offensive line. As one former Carroll football defensive player put it, "Solomon could block three players on most plays, and the defense was always in awe of his blocking tenacity on the sidelines."

He was a Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Association (LIALO) All-state football player, proving that Solomon knew his success was on his shoulders, including his performance in the classroom. His academic success and stellar athleticism garnered him a football scholarship to Grambling State University. He started and starred under the legendary Coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling, where he gained All-SWAC honors for two years and was an All-American drafted in the NFL by the Houston Oilers. He also played professional football for the Seattle Seahawks and Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. After retirement, Solomon was a teacher in Houston, TX, a professional clothing tailor, and later in life, played the trumpet at churches for the Lord (Thessalonians 4:16). Left to cherish precious memories is his wife, Bessie Dawson Freelon; two sons - Byron and Jonathan Freelon; three brothers - Joseph, Norman, and Roy Freelon and a host of family and friends.

Farther Along, tempted and tried, we are often made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long; While there are others living about us, Never molested, though in the wrong. Farther along, we will know more about it, farther along we will understand why; Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine, we will understand it all by and by. Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer, go in the rain, the cold, and the snow, when there are many living in comfort, giving no heed to all I can do. Tempted and tried, how often we question why we must suffer year after year, being accused by those of our loved ones, Even though we have walked in God's holy fear. Often when death has taken our loved ones, leaving our home so lone and so drear, then do we wonder why others prosper, Living so wicked year after year. "Faithful till death," saith our loving Master; Short is our time to labor and wait; Then will our toiling seem to be nothing, when we shall pass the heavenly gate. Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior, Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky; Then we will meet those gone on before us, then we shall know and understand why.

Memorial services for Freelon are Friday, March 26, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Greater Free Gift Baptist Church in Monroe, LA.