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1923 Wallace 2018

Wallace Raymond Friend

December 15, 1923 — February 3, 2018

Wallace Raymond Friend, age 94, passed away in Grants Pass on February 3, 2018. “Wally,” as he was known to many, was born in Costa Mesa, California on December 15, 1923, to Joseph and Pearl Friend. He was the oldest of four children. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty, and four daughters Teresa Friend , of San Leandro, CA, Diane Eldridge (Paul) of Purcellville, VA, Sharon Owen (Matt) of Grants Pass, Trish Walker (Wayne) of Grants Pass, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, his sister, Allene Blackburn of Grants Pass, his brother, Lawrence Friend of Titusville, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. His brother, Joseph Melvin Friend, predeceased him.

After growing up in Southern California during some tough Depression years, in 1942 Wallace was drafted into the Army, then spent the remainder of the war in Europe. After the war, his family moved to Grants Pass, where he lived for more than 70 years. In 1957, he married Betty Ruth McAfee, and they had a long and happy marriage. Wally spent many years working for Grants Pass School District #7, where he was the Head Custodian at Grants Pass High School, and then for the entire district. After his retirement, he volunteered with FISH and the Department of Human Services. He was a hardworking person his whole life, even into his 90s, and all of his children benefited from his carpentry and handyman skills.

Wally and Betty were married at Newman United Methodist Church in 1957, and remained active and lifelong church members. Wally enjoyed the Men’s Prayer Breakfast, as well as traveling with the Newman Campers.

Wally and Betty were able to engage in numerous travel adventures, often with family, including trips to China and Ireland, and throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

For many years, Wally enjoyed exercising and engaging in conversation at the Grants Pass YMCA. He and Betty also very much enjoyed the years that they spent square dancing, and until the very end of his life, he enjoyed their little dogs, reading, and working on jigsaw puzzles.

Most of all, he was a truly nice man, and a supportive and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who was adored by all of his family. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service for Wallace Raymond Friend will take place at Newman United Methodist Church in Grants Pass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 9th. If you are moved to do so, a donation to FISH Food Pantry in Grants Pass in his memory would be appreciated.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wallace Raymond Friend, please visit our flower store.

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