The Rev. Bythel Okra Friend, 86, passed away Monday, Feb. 6, 2017.
He was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Goodman, son of Mont and Ina Friend. He and Goldie Evadne Peterson were married Feb. 18, 1950.
He was already an accomplished fiddler when he left home at age 14. He played for various radio stations before joining a country swing band that toured across America, playing at all the big city ballrooms and warming up for some of the big name bands of the day.
In 1960, he accepted Jesus into his life and realized his calling to preach the gospel. During his 57 years of ministry, he traveled with his brothers, Harold and Dwayne, along with Dave Gourley. They created a successful ministry, The FRIENDS.
In 1973, he was called to start a new work in Houston. Souls Harbor Church was born and still remains strong today. He pastored churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. His work for the Lord reached out to 38 states and six countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Melba Hudson; and five brothers, Chelmar, Don, Derrel, Harold and Gene.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie Friend of Rolla; two daughters, DeAnn Jones of Naperville, Ill., and Debbie Coffman of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Derrel Paul Friend of Rolla, David Friend of Springfield and Daniel Friend of Chickasha, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 11, at Dawson Assembly of God Church, the last place he pastored. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery.
From the Houston Herald 02-16-2017
He was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Goodman, son of Mont and Ina Friend. He and Goldie Evadne Peterson were married Feb. 18, 1950.
He was already an accomplished fiddler when he left home at age 14. He played for various radio stations before joining a country swing band that toured across America, playing at all the big city ballrooms and warming up for some of the big name bands of the day.
In 1960, he accepted Jesus into his life and realized his calling to preach the gospel. During his 57 years of ministry, he traveled with his brothers, Harold and Dwayne, along with Dave Gourley. They created a successful ministry, The FRIENDS.
In 1973, he was called to start a new work in Houston. Souls Harbor Church was born and still remains strong today. He pastored churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. His work for the Lord reached out to 38 states and six countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Melba Hudson; and five brothers, Chelmar, Don, Derrel, Harold and Gene.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie Friend of Rolla; two daughters, DeAnn Jones of Naperville, Ill., and Debbie Coffman of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Derrel Paul Friend of Rolla, David Friend of Springfield and Daniel Friend of Chickasha, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 11, at Dawson Assembly of God Church, the last place he pastored. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery.
From the Houston Herald 02-16-2017
The Rev. Bythel Okra Friend, 86, passed away Monday, Feb. 6, 2017.
He was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Goodman, son of Mont and Ina Friend. He and Goldie Evadne Peterson were married Feb. 18, 1950.
He was already an accomplished fiddler when he left home at age 14. He played for various radio stations before joining a country swing band that toured across America, playing at all the big city ballrooms and warming up for some of the big name bands of the day.
In 1960, he accepted Jesus into his life and realized his calling to preach the gospel. During his 57 years of ministry, he traveled with his brothers, Harold and Dwayne, along with Dave Gourley. They created a successful ministry, The FRIENDS.
In 1973, he was called to start a new work in Houston. Souls Harbor Church was born and still remains strong today. He pastored churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. His work for the Lord reached out to 38 states and six countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Melba Hudson; and five brothers, Chelmar, Don, Derrel, Harold and Gene.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie Friend of Rolla; two daughters, DeAnn Jones of Naperville, Ill., and Debbie Coffman of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Derrel Paul Friend of Rolla, David Friend of Springfield and Daniel Friend of Chickasha, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 11, at Dawson Assembly of God Church, the last place he pastored. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery.
From the Houston Herald 02-16-2017
He was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Goodman, son of Mont and Ina Friend. He and Goldie Evadne Peterson were married Feb. 18, 1950.
He was already an accomplished fiddler when he left home at age 14. He played for various radio stations before joining a country swing band that toured across America, playing at all the big city ballrooms and warming up for some of the big name bands of the day.
In 1960, he accepted Jesus into his life and realized his calling to preach the gospel. During his 57 years of ministry, he traveled with his brothers, Harold and Dwayne, along with Dave Gourley. They created a successful ministry, The FRIENDS.
In 1973, he was called to start a new work in Houston. Souls Harbor Church was born and still remains strong today. He pastored churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. His work for the Lord reached out to 38 states and six countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Melba Hudson; and five brothers, Chelmar, Don, Derrel, Harold and Gene.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie Friend of Rolla; two daughters, DeAnn Jones of Naperville, Ill., and Debbie Coffman of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Derrel Paul Friend of Rolla, David Friend of Springfield and Daniel Friend of Chickasha, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 11, at Dawson Assembly of God Church, the last place he pastored. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery.
From the Houston Herald 02-16-2017
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