Russell Isaac William Friend, 87, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016, at his home in Evening Shade.
He was born April 4, 1928, in Pansey, son of Boyd and Vida Shaver Friend.
He was a barber for 32 years in Fort Leonard Wood, Kansas City and out of his home after retiring. He was a business owner of a local trailer court, service station and laundry mat. He farmed sheep, goats and cattle in Evening Shade 1963.
He loved to fish, quail hunt, ride horses and farm livestock. He was an active member and organizer of the Roby Saddle Club and member of the Northwest Texas County Lions Club. He also donated land for the Roby Volunteer Fire Department.
He was a member of the Porter Chapel Church of Competition. He had accepted Christ as his savior and loved to share it.
He enjoyed water skiing, watching Babe Ruth play baseball, running milk routes, working at the large farms in Joaquin, Calif., and worked for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan.
He loved his family and attending family reunions.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wanda Friend Victor; a brother, Jesse; and his former wife, Beatrice Bartley Friend.
Survivors include two sons, Mike and Rusty; a daughter, Shari; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Levon Boyd; a longtime friend, Opal Myers; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were Monday, March 14, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Ed Kincheloe officiating. Burial was in Good Hope Cemetery in Ava.
Memorials may be made to the Northwest Texas County Lions Club in Roby. To send an online condolence, go to www.evansfh.com.
