Keith Friend
1966-09-08 2014-11-08
Keith Everest Friend, 48, passed away after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014.
Keith grew up in Hurst and attended L.D. Bell High School and Southwest Texas State University. He married his high school sweetheart on July 8, 1989, and resided in Grapevine with his family. He was a longtime IBM employee and wonderful friend and teacher to all.
Born on Sept. 8, 1966, to Pat and Julie Friend, Keith was beautiful inside and out. He loved his cowboy hat, his boots, and his big, "manly" Ford pickup. But more than anything, he loved his wife, his daughter and his son. A family man first and foremost, he'd always choose spending time with them over anything else.
He was upright, honorable, honest, funny, mischievous, loving, and most of all a committed man of God. He gave all of himself to others, by teaching guitar to dozens of students; working with the youth at his church for many years; volunteering with the Boy Scouts; and serving as encourager, sympathizer, cheerleader and mentor to countless fellow cancer patients.
Cancer did not win this fight and Keith most assuredly did not lose a single second. He fought long and hard and won so many more cherished moments with his family that he would not have otherwise had. The family wishes to thank each and every one of you who supported, prayed, laughed with him and cried with him. Please know also that his life was immeasurably brighter because of each of you.
He was truly a positive influence and teacher to all he knew. He said he didn't fear death, that he saw it as an adventure. We know that he is healed and whole, taking on this new adventure with God and the loved ones who left before him. Survivors: Keith is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lori; daughter, Amber; son, Andrew; parents, Julie Mason and Pat Friend; sister, Elaine Christine Lincoln; many family members; and scores of friends.
Keith grew up in Hurst and attended L.D. Bell High School and Southwest Texas State University. He married his high school sweetheart on July 8, 1989, and resided in Grapevine with his family. He was a longtime IBM employee and wonderful friend and teacher to all.
Born on Sept. 8, 1966, to Pat and Julie Friend, Keith was beautiful inside and out. He loved his cowboy hat, his boots, and his big, "manly" Ford pickup. But more than anything, he loved his wife, his daughter and his son. A family man first and foremost, he'd always choose spending time with them over anything else.
He was upright, honorable, honest, funny, mischievous, loving, and most of all a committed man of God. He gave all of himself to others, by teaching guitar to dozens of students; working with the youth at his church for many years; volunteering with the Boy Scouts; and serving as encourager, sympathizer, cheerleader and mentor to countless fellow cancer patients.
Cancer did not win this fight and Keith most assuredly did not lose a single second. He fought long and hard and won so many more cherished moments with his family that he would not have otherwise had. The family wishes to thank each and every one of you who supported, prayed, laughed with him and cried with him. Please know also that his life was immeasurably brighter because of each of you.
He was truly a positive influence and teacher to all he knew. He said he didn't fear death, that he saw it as an adventure. We know that he is healed and whole, taking on this new adventure with God and the loved ones who left before him. Survivors: Keith is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lori; daughter, Amber; son, Andrew; parents, Julie Mason and Pat Friend; sister, Elaine Christine Lincoln; many family members; and scores of friends.