BENJAMIN JAMES FRIEND

Benjamin James Friend, 65, of Gainesville, MO passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 8 p.m. in Springfield Mercy Hospital. He was born April 9, 1950 in Gainesville, MO son of Efton and Juanita Friend, both deceased. His grandparents were Harrison and Ivy Friend also deceased.

Benny was a lifetime resident of Gainesville. He is survived by his wife Theresa "Tess" Friend of Walnut Grove, MO; four children: James Robert Friend Morton of Harrison, AR, Kevin James Friend and wife Patty Martin Friend, Dakota Shiloh Friend Hargis and husband Dalton Hargis of South Greenfield, MO, Sierra Smallwood of Baxter, TN; six grandchildren: Stormy and Quincy of Harrison, AR, Brantley and Brody of South Greenfield, MO, Karlee and Makyla; three step grandchildren and one great granddaughter Ashtyn all of Lake Ozark, MO. Other survivors include seven siblings: Betty Garfit of Isabella, MO, George Friend and wife Sue of Springdale, AR, Nettie Sue Friend, O.J. Friend and Rebecca Friend all of Gainesville, Charles Friend of Springfield, MO and Wilma Pendergrass of Cabool, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings: Lawrence Friend, Mary Bates and Eva June Friend.

His passion was working outside on farms, with horses, cows and dogs. He worked on many farms in his life always with livestock at sale barns or on someone's farm. He loved what he did. Benny has been a cowboy since he was a lad, breaking horses, shoeing horses and building fences. He also worked in rodeo and was a very happy person.

No matter whose farm he was on, he left a part of himself there. He made a lot of good friends along the way that were like family. He is going to be missed by a lot of people of have a lot of stories to tell. Last but not least, he was a lot like his Grandpa Harrison, he was good with the women !! Lol. Happy Trails, always Benny Friend.

Funeral services are Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville, MO with Davin Friend officiating. Visitation is Wednesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to service time. Burial is in the Lilly Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.