David Lawrence Friend

Air Force

David Lawrence Friend, age 98, a long term resident of Odessa, Missouri, went home to his Lord on January 17, 2019. He was born on September 5, 1920, in Independence, Missouri to Harry Jacob and Rena Maria (Joice) Friend. Dad Friend married the love of his life, Myrtle Mae (Crabb) on February 8, 1942. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrtle; a son, David W.; a granddaughter, Maria Olivas; and his siblings, Jessie, Joe, Michael, Alma, Charlotte, Jennie, Libby, and Daniel.

Dad Friend served in World War II in the European Theater of Operations, in Africa and Italy, served as a hydraulic specialist with the 15th Air Force, he was an aircraft mechanic on B-24s in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Silver Star Good Conduct Medal and Distinguished Unit Badge for his service. He worked at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant before WWII and again from 1965 to 1984, when he retired. He served his Lord and community as an elder at Odessa Restoration Branch. He loved music, poetry, and a good joke. He sang in a quartet with his brothers or anyone available to fill-in. He loved to play his violin and yodel at public locations such as the Bank of Odessa, the grocery store in Odessa, and his favorite place to eat, Bates City Barbeque.

Dad Friend is survived by a daughter Hannah, and husband Dennis Anderson of Kansas City, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Diana Friend of Independence, Missouri; daughter Marlena Friend-Farago, and husband Andrew Farago of Loveland, Colorado; daughter Nita, and husband Raymond Dillon of Odessa, Missouri; son John, and wife Kate Friend of Blue Springs, Missouri; son James, and wife Joey Friend of Oak Grove, Missouri; and son Peter, and wife Teresa Friend of Grain Valley, Missouri; 26 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, “adopted” children, in-laws, church family, and friends.