Richard Duane Friends, age 76, of Vass, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022 in Linden, North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Full Military Honors. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home from 2 until 3:00 pm.
Richard was born in Woodhull, New York on September 28, 1945 to Richard Lee Friends and Louise Wheatcraft Friends. Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for 21 years. After retiring from the military he worked at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Course as the Greens Keeper for 30 years. He was a loving son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed being outside, working in his garden and watching sports. He was one of the biggest fans of the Buffalo Bills football team. Go Bills! He was a life member of the American Legion and VFW.
He is survived by his parents, Richard Lee Friends and Louise Wheatcraft Friends; children, Richard Friends II and wife Alli of West Virginia, Lori Kraus and husband Lee of Linden, NC, Lisa Papenfus and husband Duane of Broadway, NC; sisters, Andrea, Audrey, Jane and Ricki; brothers, Bob and Bill; grandchildren, Christian, Justine, Kaylee, Kyle, Richard, Clayton, Catriona and Eamon; three great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Francine Friends.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Vass.
