Richard James (Dick) Friendly, 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on March 17, 2026. Dick was born on May 22, 1935, in Hoxie, Kansas, to parents Joseph and Grace Friendly.

As a child, he moved with his family to Seldon, Kansas, where he attended school and graduated high school. Shortly after graduation, Dick served in the army from 1956 to 1958 with the 1st Missile Battalion, 55th Artillery Regiment, as an anti-aircraft missile radar operator in White Plains, NY.

After he was discharged, Dick returned to Kansas and began working for Central Kansas Power.  He was united in marriage to Anna Mae Weeks on June 11, 1961; they were married for 60 years.   The two settled in Bird City, Kansas, where he served as mayor and part-time deputy sheriff of Cheyenne County in addition to his full-time job as a lineman for Central Kansas Power.    In 1971, Dick was promoted and became the manager of Central Kansas Power in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Dick continued to stay involved in his community by serving on the WaKeeney City Council, as a volunteer fireman, and EMT.  As an EMT, Dick was often called to be a first responder in the community and shared his knowledge by providing CPR classes.  In fact, it was not unusual for his children to see the CPR dummy, Annie, in his car, and he happily went to his children's school to talk to classes about CPR and his experiences as an EMT.  In addition to serving his community, Dick served his church as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Dick was also highly engaged with several organizations including the Lions Club, American Legion, and Boy Scouts.  As a Boy Scouts' volunteer, he twice hiked over 100 miles in 10 days at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico with his son Rory and WaKeeney Boy Scout Troop.  However, Dick was most active in the Masonic Lodge for over 65 years and was a District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas and was the Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Kansas. Once Dick retired, his passion for motorcycles and traveling grew.  He and his wife became members of the Western Kansas Drifters and made many close friends and memorable experiences.  With Ann on the back of the cycle, the two traveled to all 48 continental states and seven provinces in Canada. All through his life, Dick searched for new things to learn and experience.  He loved photography and even turned a room in their house into a dark room so he could develop his own pictures.  Once the computer age hit, he always kept up with evolving technology and was never the grandpa who had to ask his grandkids how to work his phone.

While Dick was always finding ways to be involved and to learn new things, perhaps what he enjoyed most was sharing his stories and making people laugh.  He loved a good joke. His face would light up, and he would get a mischievous gleam in his eye.  When he got that look, you knew the punch line was coming.  Many times, those punch lines were not appropriate, much to Ann's dismay.  However, anyone who knew him well couldn't help but laugh along with him.  As he got older and unable to be as active as he once was, telling stories and making people laugh remained constant.

Dick is survived by his son Rory of Alexandia, Virginia; his daughter Nora Schoenthaler and partner David Smith of Lenexa, Kansas; and his grandchildren Deven Schoenthaler of Ashland, Massachusetts, and Emarie Schoenthaler of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann, his parents, and his sister, Betty Murphy.

A graveside service and burial will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the WaKeeney City Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial contribution may be made to the WaKeeney Lions Club for Boy Scout Troop 165.