James Wesley Friend

James Wesley Jim Friend was born March 2, 1946 in Hominy, Oklahoma. He was the son of Wallace and Pauline Friend. Jim was raised and attended school in Hominy, graduating from Hominy High School in 1964.

Upon graduation from high school, Jim attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma for a couple of semesters. He then attended auctioneer training in Kansas City, Missouri and served as an auctioneer for a short time. He then enlisted into the service of his country as an Airborne Ranger in the United States Army. He served honorably and was discharged after four years of service.

He then returned to Oklahoma and worked in numerous jobs over the next few years including truck driving (long hauls and cross country) and as a welder. He pipelined in Alaska during the construction of the Great Alaska Pipeline. He then began a career as a pipe fitter. He worked throughout the United States on refinery turnarounds and power plant shutdowns. He was a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Local Union 430. Jim has worked for the past several years as a custom hay baler, working all over Northeastern Oklahoma and surrounding states. His hobbies included traveling but he especially enjoyed animals and nature.

Jim passed away on Monday, November 3, 2003 at his home near Hominy at the age of fifty seven years, eight months and one day. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim is survived by his son, Richard Friend of Warren, Arkansas; brother, John Friend of Mannford, Oklahoma; .three stepsons, Rodney, Ronnie and Robby; four grandchildren; a companion, Vicki Hill and her family of Hominy, Oklahoma; and a special pet and friend, Roscoe.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm, Thursday, November 6, 2003 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland with Ron Damph officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Jim Friend Memorial Pet Fund, Rankin Vet Hospital, 111 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Jim Friend at www.chapman-black.com.