Paul Finis Friend, of Greenfield, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, August 25, 2013 only one quarter of a mile from the old home site where he was born August 3, 1929, the eighth of nine children born to John Alva and Dovie Friend. His loving family was by his side.

Paul graduated from Dadeville High School in 1947. He married Barbara Gene Henry November 24, 1951 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. His life's vocation was farming and raising dairy and beef cattle. He ran a dairy farm and had his own lime and fertilizer business for several years, later on, raising only beef cattle. He was no stranger to hard work and enjoyed all aspects of farming and looked forward each year to planting a large garden. He loved to hunt, fish, travel, and camp. He could tell a lively story and enjoyed a good joke and pulling pranks on his hunting and fishing buddies. His family and his home were always number one in his heart and he doted on his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was baptized February 24, 1974 and was a member of the First Christian Church, of Greenfield, Missouri.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, John Alva, Truman, Max, and sisters, Evelyn Stephens and Georgia Lee Frank, infant brother, Leo and infant sister, Irene.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, and 4 children: David Friend, Brenda Moore, Paul Jeff and his wife, Cathy Friend, Valerie and her husband, Bob Jackson, all of Greenfield, Missouri; 7 grandchildren, Shelley (Curtis) Mills, Barbra (Scott) Decker, Angela (Jacob) Hosp, Amanda Garver, Amy Friend and her fiancé, Levi, Travis (Tiffany) Mallory and Chelsea Friend Faubion; 8 great-grandchildren, Jayd Forst, Ryleigh, Kolby and Kendall Hosp, Logan Garver, Kenzie and Brody Peebles, and Mattie Mills, as well as one great-grandchild on the way. Also surviving are one brother, Stanford Friend of Pampa, Texas, and sister-in-law, Edith Friend of Springfield, Missouri, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Up until the end, Paul was striving to be as helpful as he could to his family and was even planning what to plant in next year's garden. His passing has left a big hole in the hearts of his family and his presence will be sorely missed.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to Hospice Compassus and all friends, neighbors and relatives who visited and helped with all the work and chores that Paul could no longer take care of, so that his final days were more restful. Two especially helpful in this aspect being Larry Friend and Tony Garver.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at the First Christian Church, Greenfield, Missouri. Private family interment will follow in Daughtery Cemetery, South Greenfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Friend Bridge Memorial Fund c/o Liberty Bank, Greenfield, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.