Rev. Derrel Max Friend

Rev. Derrel Max Friend, son of the late Mont and Ina (Gaddis) Friend, was born January 19, 1926 in Dawson, Missouri and went home to be with the Lord on July 2, 2016 in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was 90 years, 5 months, and 13 days of age.
Derrel grew up and attended school in the Dawson community. He always bragged about being an 8th grade graduate of the Dawson school. Derrel was united in marriage to Betty DeLashmutt on September 6, 1947. Five children were born to this union.
Derrel was a self-taught musician who could play almost any instrument he picked up. His favorite was the steel guitar. He started his musical career in a little radio station in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. From there he went to KOMA in Pittsburg, Kansas. While living in Pittsburg, Derrel accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He moved on to KWTO in Springfield, Missouri, where he answered the call to preach the gospel.
In 1950, Derrel held his first revival for Bro. Earl Campbell at Peace Chapel. He continued preaching revivals and eventually took his first pastorate in Hartville, Missouri in 1959. Three years later, Derrel came back to Mountain Grove and pastored at Dawson Assembly. He pastored churches in Lawrence, Kansas from 1969 to 1970. In 1971, Derrel started Calvary Temple Church in Mountain Grove and pastored there for many years before returning back to Dawson Assembly. Throughout his ministry, Derrel had performed numerous weddings and funerals in the area.
Derrel had a great calling for missions and helped build many churches in Mexico. He later helped Bro. John Hanson with mission work in Haiti. He continued supporting missions in Haiti until he retired from the ministry. Derrel and Betty had made numerous trips to Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Besides his parents, Derrel was preceded in death by his sister: Melba Hudson; four brothers: Chelmer, Don, Harold, and Gene Friend; a daughter: Melba Friend; a granddaughter: Heather Friend; one great-granddaughter: Cara Holly; and one great-great-granddaughter: Brooklynn Massey.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years: Betty Friend; two daughters: Sharon Moore and husband, J.B., of Mesa, Arizona and Marcia Davidson of Mountain Grove; two sons: Webb Friend and wife, Becky, of Mountain Grove and Joe Friend of Mountain Grove; seven grandchildren: Shad Friend, Holli Massey, Jordan Davidson, Michelle Davidson, Jennah Fiegenbaum, Lisa Cowling, and Jem Moore; nineteen great-grandchildren: Drake Friend, Trevor Friend, Stevie Ice, Bryson Massey, Karli Massey, Morgan Bledsoe, Jayde Friend, Hayden Friend, Lincoln Davidson, Jordann Davidson, Katrina Kirk, Mariah Hamby, Triska Fiegenbaum, Alivia Fiegenbaum, Cody Hoosier, Cory Cowling, Gaelan Moore, Adelaide Moore, and Camille Moore; five great-great-grandchildren: James Hutsell, Ryan Kirk, Jaxson Kirk, Emma Hamby, and Kinsley Arce; four brothers: Rex Friend and wife, Bonnie, of Springfield, Missouri, Bythel Friend and wife, Goldie, of Vienna, Missouri, Dwayne Friend of Aurora, Missouri, and Terry Friend and wife, Joyce, of Mountain Grove; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly.

Memorial Contributions:
International Missions Outreach c/o the funeral home