Julia Elizabeth Freeman

Julia Elizabeth Freeman “Julia Stuart” passed gracefully April 7, 2009. Julia was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1921 where she went to school with notable producer William “Billy” Self. Taking the stage name “Julia Stuart” when she moved to Hollywood, CA in 1935, she attended Hollywood High School and Hollywood Professional school with fellow classmates Mitzi Gainer, Billy and Bobby Mauch {the Mauch Twins}, Cyd Charisse, and Micky Rooney. She volunteered for Camp Shows during WWII performing with artists like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, and then pianist Andre Previn. After the Camp Shows, she opened her own dance studio on Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica and instructed for 25 years teaching celebrities like Carol Lynley. She danced in many 1930’s-1940’s movies, standing in for the principal actresses. She married James Harold Freeman in 1958 enjoying married life for 40 years until his passing in 1998. In the 1960’s she taught dance in Thousand Oaks, CA and volunteered for the Heart Association in San Marcos, CA. In Grants Pass, OR she was on two senior bowling leagues at Caveman Bowl on Rogue River Hwy where her team came in first place as League Champions in 2005-2006. She is survived by two children, Vivi Wells of Grants Pass, OR and James Freeman of Murrieta, CA, four grandchildren, Alicia, Andrew, Alex, and Lindsey, and one great grandchild, Alyssa. All who knew her loved her sweet disposition, giving nature, and gravitating smile. A “Tribute to Her Life” memorial service will be held Sat April 25 at 2:00 pm at Stephens Family Chapel, 1629 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass, OR.