Jonta “Lee” Friend was born April 8, 1959 to Benny & Carol Friend in San Angelo, Texas.
Lee graduated from Central High School in 1977. He later went on to study at Snyder College.
Lee had a blessed childhood and would spend his time between both sets of grandparent’s ranches in Ozona and Mertzon. When he was young, he could always call his Pampaw to come get him from school. Pampaw would drive from the ranch in Mertzon and be waiting on Lee to get out with a cold drink each time. He loved staying out at the ranches and learned many a valuable lessons.
Growing up on Oak Forest is where Lee met his lifelong best friends, Andy Smith and Gary Elrod. The three of them definitely left their mark on that neighborhood. Whether it be riding their bicycles to the Colonial Store, branding the neighbors cats, or fishing / hunting the Red Arroyo.
Lee enjoyed roping at the ranch in Ozona with family and friends. He worked livestock there many a day. He always knew when his Grandmother Friend cooked chili con carne, that there was something she was trying to coerce him to do that nobody else would. And, of course, he would do it every time. Spending time with the ranch hands in Ozona is also where Lee learned Spanish. He loved going down to their house and eating Mexican food with them…….and the hotter the better!
When Carol ranched in Big Lake, Lee spent many hours there working and helping with all the horses. He worked many a long day but enjoyed every minute of it. It is from Carol that he learned his knowledge and pedigrees of horses.
Lee was always a welder at heart. He started his welding career in Odessa working various pipeline jobs. From this passion, and his love for horses, Lee easily progressed into the field of bit and spurs. Kenneth Mauldin needed a bit repaired and knowing how good of a welder Lee was, asked him to fix it. He then encouraged Lee to start making bits and spurs, in which he did. Lee was very meticulous in his work. He patterned many of his creations from Adolph Bayer and Billy Klapper. Lee always had a waiting list for his pieces and was “six months out”. He envied his good buddy, Wilson Capron on how talented and creative he was in his pieces. Lee always said, “Willie is out of my league!” But, he enjoyed the journey Wilson shared with him on each of his creations.
Team roping was a passion of his. Lee got to experience many ropings with great horses and even better friends. At a USTRC roping in Oklahoma City…Lee, Little Andy, and David Weaver had returned to the hotel. There just happened to be an OB/GYN convention being held across from their room. Lee proceeded to drag the boys into the convention. He found a nametag and became “Dr Earl Carpenter” for the night. Don’t think that convention was the same after they showed up!
Lee was also very fond of “spanking the ball” as he called golf. He started playing as a young age due to the encouragement of his Granddaddy Friend. Recently, he and Kerry Bruton spent many a Sunday out at San Angelo Country Club chasing the ball around.
Guns and anything related was a great love and interest of Lee’s. One day, he and Jerry Yancy decided to go shoot sporting clays and he was instantly hooked. Lee participated in many shoots across the United States and gained many friends along the way.
Hunting was Lee’s favorite hobby. From hunting as a child on the family ranches to his last hunt in Utah this past October, Lee was an avid marksman. He loved traveling to Mexico each year to hunt mule deer, his favorite species. Many outfitters will never be the same after Lee hunted with them. He was quite the character and kept everyone entertained in camp.
Lee & Debra traveled to South Africa on their first safari. Carl and his bunch at John X Safaris loved Lee and his cowboy hat, not to mention his Texas accent. Carl and Greg were shocked when they asked Lee what animals he and Debra were interested in hunting. After hearing the LONG list, Carl said “I should have asked which animals you DON’T want to hunt”. Lee and Debra harvested 28 animals within ten days on that expedition and made lifelong friends with Carl and his family.
Lee & Debra traveled back to South Africa a few years later and took Coltyn with them. This is when Lee took his cape buffalo and a pair of blue ball monkeys. Those monkeys were one of his prized possessions and loved to show them off to any and everyone.
Lee also hunted in Alaska where he took a grizzly and a moose. He spent many years traveling to Utah with Kerry Bruton and hunting with Travis Murphy. His favorite guide was Tyler, who always catered to Lee. Nevertheless, Tyler always made their hunt an adventurous one with his “driving” skills.
The last big hunt Lee went on was when he, Debra and Coltyn traveled to Australia and New Zealand. He was able to hunt a tahr and chamois out of a helicopter up on the glacier. An experience he would never forget. Lee harvested a water buffalo in Australia, to add to his collection. He loved to hunt and passed that passion on to Coltyn.
Lee is survived by his wife, Debra. Children Coltyn, and Cheyenne (Richard) Key. Siblings, Francine Friend and Joe Friend, along with many other family members and dear friends.
Family visitation will be held on Friday, June 29th from 6-8 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday, June 30th at 1:30 p.m.at Harper Funeral Home. Lee’s dear friends will be his pallbearers. Those include Andy Smith, Jerry Yancy, J L Hibdon, Kerry Bruton, Wilson Capron and “Cousin” Mont Cravens.
Debra would like to thank her ER family for the care they gave to Lee. The family would also like to thank the nursing staff in ICU, 5N, and Dr Melott for their sincerity and passion to Lee during his final days.
He was a man of many names. Whether it be Dad, Lee-mone, Brother Lee, Reverend or Nacho Friend…..Lee will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. He had a nickname for most he came across that were dear to his heart. Words fade, but memories last a lifetime….and he gave us great memories. His accent and Lee-isms will carry on forever. As Andy said…..go sink spur Lee!
All our love, Debra and Coltyn.
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