Richard "Dick" Friend

Richard Edward (Dick “PopPop”) Friend, 84, of Thomas, West Virginia, formerly of Davis, West Virginia, went to be with the Lord, Friday, December 6, 2019 to be reunited with his wife of over 45 years, Anita Louise Sutton Friend. Dick was born on September 20, 1935, in Worthington, WV to the late Richard Thomas (R.T.) Friend and Mary Louise Spedden Friend.

To his family, he was best known as a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Everyone enjoyed being around Dick for his fun personality, warm smile, sense of humor, and animated stories.

Dick enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served 6 years on the USS Healy, upon graduating from Davis High School in 1953. He later achieved his dream of owning a business, Friend Welding and Auto Care, before retiring as a Boilermaker out of the Charleston, WV Local. One of his pastimes was wood working, his beautiful furniture pieces will be treasured by family for many generations. Dick was a member of the Davis United Methodist Church where he served as the Sunday School Superintendent and enjoyed singing in the choir. For a brief period of time he was a member of the Davis Volunteer Fire Department as well as a driver for the Emergency Medical Services.

Dick is survived by the following family: Sons, Thomas E. (Ed) Friend and wife Amie of Disputanta, VA, Richard A. (Andy) Friend and wife Reatha of New Creek, WV, William S. (Billy) Friend and wife Jennifer of Davis, WV, and daughter Mary C. (Cathy) Camden and husband Danny of Morgantown, WV, and Leroy, his faithful and furry companion. Grandchildren, Sarah R. Friend and fiancé Anthony Allen, Lucas E. (Luke) Friend and wife Amy, Jennifer M. (Marie) Bolyard and husband Derek, Casey M. Batt, Bethany K. Friend, Benton E. (Ben) Batt, and Rachel N. Friend. Great-grandchildren Abigail M.(Abby) McBride, Haylee R. Bolyard, Aubree M. Bolyard, and Henry L. Friend. Sisters, Virginia (Gin) Winters, Rebecca (Beck) McDowell and husband Richard (Dick), Ruth C.(Carol) Huggins, and brother William (Bill) Friend and wife Elaine. Brother-in-laws, Charles (Charlie) Sutton, Donnie Sutton and wife Linda, and Tom Sutton. Sister-in-laws, Debbie Cook and husband Tom, and Ginny Cepeda and husband Ray, and former sister-in-law Sue Sutton. Nephews, SteveWinters, Wayne Winters, Jeff McDowell and wife Sandy, Lynn McDowell, David McDowell, and wife LuAnn, Matt McDowell and wife Edie, Michael Huggins and wife Seunghye, Jimmy Sutton and wife Allison, Scott Friend and wife Amanda, Kyle Friend and wife Kristin, Tony Cook and wife Mary Beth. Nieces, Dana Huggins, Kathy Phares, Kimmie Sutton, Chrissy O’Brien and husband Pat, Anessa Griffith and husband Jeff, Angela Anderson and husband Clint, Jennifer (Jenny) Sutton, and Christina Ammons and husband Jeremy. Dick is also survived by numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

Besides his parents and his wife, Dick was predeceased by a sister Katherine L. Friend, grandson Edward L. (Little Gus) Friend, granddaughter Hannah R. Friend, mother-in-law Cathryn (Caty) Phillips Sutton, father-in-law Charles (Si) Sutton, niece Susie McDowell, brother-in-law Lloyd (Hank) Winters, brother-in-law Grover (Bud) Huggins, and great niece Lori McDowell.

The viewing will be held at Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home in Davis, WV on Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 from 3-7PM. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 at 11AM with Reverend Larry Idleman officiating the services. Interment will follow in the Davis Cemetery in Davis, WV. A bereavement dinner will also follow the interment. Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers and if desired family and friends may make memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Wounded Warriors Project, Donor Care Center, P.O. Box 758540, Topeka, KS 66675-8540.