Richard Duane Friends

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 3:00pm 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 3:00pm.

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.

Cox Memorial..."Serving GOD, families in a time of need."

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