Don Baxter Friend

Donalean “Don” Baxter Friend, son of the late Mont and Ina (Gaddis) Friend, was born on February 23, 1924 in Rayborn, Missouri, and departed this life on August 8, 2007 at his residence in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, following a short illness. He was 83 years, 5 months, and 16 days of age.
Don grew up and attended school in the Dawson area and he served his country in the United States Army during World War II as an infantryman. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Bars, American Theater Ribbon, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He proudly served his country in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on April 10, 1946.
Don was united in marriage to Melba Faye Fonville on February 22, 1947 in Yuma, Arizona. They moved to the Riverside, California area where their three children were born. They moved back to the Mtn. Grove Community in 1963. Melba passed away in 1997.
Don later moved to Mt. Vernon where he was living at the time of his passing. He was married to Eunice “Jody” Bachman in March of 1992 in Mt. Vernon. She passed away in February of 2006.
He worked as a painter for many years and later became a truck driver. He loved to sing and play his guitar and he also enjoyed playing golf.
Beside his parents and his wives, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Gene Friend and Chelmer Friend; and by one sister: Melba Hudson.
Don is survived by his two sons: Stan Friend of Licking, Missouri, and Wesley Friend and his wife, Cindy, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; his daughter: Mona Knox and her husband, Pat, of Kearney, Missouri; six brothers: Derrel Friend and his wife, Betty, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri, Rex Friend and his Wife, Bonnie, of Springfield, Missouri, Bythel Friend and his wife, Goldie, of Springfield, Missouri, Harold Friend of Dawson, Missouri; Dwayne Friend anf his wife, Rhonda, of Shell Knob, Missouri, and Terry Friend and his wife, Joyce, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Harold Dwayne Friend, Gala Hale, Toby Friend, April Cole, Michael Knox, Christi Knox, Stephanie Friend, and Kim Friend; eight great-grandchildren; three step-children: Liz, Bridgette, and Bruce; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him very much.


Funeral Services:
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:00 AM - Dawson Assembly of God Church
Visitation:
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:00 PM 8:00 PM - Craig-Hurtt Funeral Chapel
Burial:
Friendship Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the American Legion Post 30