Estel Clyde Friend

Estel Clyde Friend, son of the late Chelmer and Thelma (Worsham) Friend, was born on July 22, 1943, in Wright County, and went to his heavenly home on June 24, 2025. He was 81 years, 11 months and 2 days of age. Estel grew up in the Dawson and Graff area, where he spent most of his life. He graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1961, and he made a significant impact on the school during his time there in sports and was a star athlete in baseball, football, and track. He was an amazing sprinter, having held all the sprinting records for track at one time and still holds the record for the 100 yard dash. During his last football game against Salem, he ran for 282 yards and five touchdowns. He married his sweetheart, Beverly Crisp, on Oct. 26, 1961. This union was blessed with four children, Kevin, Kimberly “Kim,” Kyra and Kaleb. And together, Estel and Beverly enjoyed many years of Dairy Farming. Estel also greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing and the great outdoors as well as watching the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was known as a quiet man in a crowd, but was a strong man in all areas of his life and inspired many. He loved his family with all his heart, and along with Beverly, he raised his children to love and honor God. Estel attended Dawson Assembly of God Church for many years, modeling integrity with a life well-lived.
Besides his parents, Estel was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beverly of nearly 60 years. Estel is survived by his four children, Kevin Friend and his wife, Heather, of Fayette; Kimberly “Kim” Dale and her husband, Martin, of Houston; Kyra Huff and her husband, Gary, of Houston; and Kaleb Friend and his wife, Audrey, of Graff; eight grandchildren, Trent Friend, Andrea Adkins and her husband, Jeremy, Seth Dale and his wife, Haley, Leah Daniels and her husband, Jon, Ryan Huff and his wife, Mandy, Grace Hamilton, Grant Friend and Beverly Friend; 12 great grandchildren with one on the way; and two great great grandchildren; one brother, Montie Friend, and wife, Arlene; and many other relatives and friends who will greatly miss him. The family would also like to send a very special thanks to Texas County Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Department as well as Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla for their exceptional care and compassion. In honor of Estel you may send flowers or make a memorial contribution to The Gideons in c/o Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. As in II Timothy 4:7, Estel has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, and has kept the faith. Services for Estel were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Dawson Assembly in Dawson, officiated by Pastor Smiley Martin. Serving as pallbearers were Ryan Huff, Kaleb Friend, Seth Dale, Jon Daniels, Jeremy Adkins and Ryan Rumfelt. Special songs were “Agnus Dei,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone.” Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery of Mountain Grove. Services were under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.