John Wayne Friend, 68, of rural Freedom, OK, passed away Friday, June 11, 2021, at Pioneer Lodge in Coldwater, KS.  Born January 24, 1953, at Coldwater, KS, he was the son of Chester Willard and Dorothy Edna (Corbin) Friend.

John was a rancher and lifetime resident of NW Woods County, OK.  He attended Centerview Country School and graduated from Freedom High School in Freedom, OK in 1971.  He was a member of Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.  He volunteered his time, serving as a mentor for the F.F.A. and 4-H kids, for many years.

On October 12, 1973, he married Marilyn Ruth Vawter at the Vining Community Church in Jet, OK.

He is survived by his wife: Marilyn Friend of Freedom, OK; three children and six grandchildren: Corey Friend and wife Emalee and children, Lizzie and Adelyn of Woodward, OK; Royce Friend and wife Emily and children, Katy and Dean of Mooreland, OK; and Sarah Beeley and children, Jordan and Jasper of Coldwater, KS; two brothers: Willard Friend (Diana) of Wichita, KS and Rex Friend of Oklahoma City, OK; and two sisters: Elma Mitchell (Ray) of Lanagan, MO, and Mary Eubank (Danny) of Protection, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Edna Green.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Pioneer Lodge or Parkinson's Foundation in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.

Memorial service is at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 21, 2021, at Antioch Community Church in Buttermilk, KS, with Mike Lehl presiding.