Retired U.S. Army Major Charles W. Friend Jr., 55, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2003 at Southeast Missouri Hospital, following a brief illness.

Visitation will be at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Bill Matzat, D.Min.

Major Friend was born June 12, 1947, at Fairborn, Ohio, son of Charles and Peggy "Imogene" Friend. He and Margaret Foster were married Feb. 28, 1970, at Fort Leonard Wood. She survives.

Also surviving of the home is a son, Charles Champion Friend.

He graduated from Greenon High School in Enon, Ohio, in 1965 and attended Ohio University. He was commissioned as an Army engineer officer in 1967, and became Green Beret and Airborne Jump Master-qualified before serving tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star for Valour, the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry, and numerous other awards for bravery in battle.

Friend was also recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the prestigious Legion of Merit Award.

Friend served as Army Adviser to the 203rd National Guard Engineer Battalion in Joplin, Mo., prior to serving with HHC,135th Engineer CBT GP in Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 1987. From 1987 to 1993 he was vice president of Honest Abe Construction in Jackson. In 1993, he joined Delta Companies as president of its Apex Paving Inc., a position he held until his death.

Friend was active in youth sports in Cape Girardeau, coaching Little League Baseball, Optimist Youth Football, Church League Basketball, Cape Area Youth Soccer and Youth Roller Hockey. He served as a volunteer visitor for Mended Hearts, was a member of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association and past president of the American Heart Association. He was recently named Southeast Missouri Senior Olympic Racquetball Champion.

Survivors, in addition to his wife and son, include his parents; five siblings, Helen Southall, Columbus, Ohio; Susie Friend, Phoenix, Ariz.; Edlene Flannery, Yellow Springs, Ohio; Sandra Friend, Surfside, Fla.; and Paul E. Friend, Catharpin, Va.

On Friday, March 28, there will be visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Burcham Funeral Home in Fairborn, followed by funeral services Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be at Enon Cemetery in Enon.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or the charity of choice.