James E. Freer built his own house — two houses, actually — and helped build the high school for the Windsor School District in Jefferson County when he was superintendent.

He grew up during the Great Depression and picked up his construction talents from his father, who worked on a railroad.

Mr. Freer died Friday (July 16, 2010) at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Crystal City. He was 83, lived in Barnhart and had been treated for heart and lung disease, said his grandson, Dr. James M. Freer of St. Louis.

Mr. Freer grew up in De Soto, where he was a 1944 graduate of De Soto High School. He spent 18 months in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

He returned home and began dating a woman — until he met her roommate. That's when he realized he was dating the wrong woman. He and the roommate, Virginia "Gigi" Sinclair, married in 1946.

He started college at Mineral Area College and graduated from Washington University, where he later also earned a master's degree.

He earned money for school as a carpenter.

His first teaching job was as a substitute teacher for the Windsor district, which then had only grade schools. The next year, the district gave him a full-time job. Two years later, he became superintendent.

"I did not apply for an administrative job, but the Board of Education asked me," he later said.

He oversaw construction during the 1970s of Windsor High School. Family members recall that he sometimes got out his tools to help with the building.

He built his first home and later a second for his family in De Soto. He said a school superintendent should live in his district.

His wife taught grade school in the district.

"But my immediate boss was the principal, not him, luckily," she said when a reporter chronicled their careers.

Mr. Freer served as superintendent from 1956 to 1985, when he retired. The district named an elementary school and the high school athletic field after him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Windsor Baptist Church, 6701 Highway 61-67, Imperial.

Survivors, in addition to his wife and grandson, include a son, James G. Freer of Farmington; a brother, Glenn Freer of De Soto; and a great-grandson, James C. Freer of St. Louis.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Windsor Baptist Church or the American Heart Association.