Waylon Friese

Waylon Anthony Friese, 34, of Friedheim died Saturday, March 23, 2013, in a tree-cutting accident near his home.

He was born June 14, 1978, [Flag Day] in Cape Girardeau to Kenneth and Mary Ann Boyd Friese.

Waylon was baptized and confirmed by the Rev. Adam Mueller at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, where he regularly attended. Three years ago, along with his mother and a neighbor, Marilyn Unterreiner, he visited Cape County Cowboy Church and became immediately connected. Not long thereafter, his dad and Grandma Betty were there with him. Thursday night church always meant going out for a meal afterward.

He attended Oak Ridge Grade School and was a 1996 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.

At an early age, being influenced by his grandparents, Nelson and Betty Friese, Waylon became interested in livestock, especially cattle. His love affair with cows was 24/7. If he wasn't working calves for someone at the barn in Friedheim, he could be found at KSK Farms, as Kelly Brune and Kyle Hobeck were his constant companions. Waylon also had a water-hauling service, filling swimming pools and cisterns throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

When spring arrived and all the cows and calves were put out to new grass, Cardinal baseball became front and center with Waylon -- a love he shared with his mother and Grandma Betty. During game six of the 2011 playoffs, he gave up and went to bed early, only to receive a phone call from his mother, telling him to get up and not be a quitter. We all know what happened a few games later, Every time he would feel like giving up, his mom would remind him of game six.

Waylon had an infectious grin. He was a great storyteller and could make you laugh when you wanted to cry. He is loved so very much by his family and friends, and will be deeply missed. He and his brother, Blake, talked every day, keeping up with the day's activities between Friedheim and Fort Stockton, Texas.

His biggest and deepest passion was the love, respect and admiration he had for his daddy. He always felt like he had big shoes to fill by the example his dad gave him, and he was proud to call him his father. Both Waylon and his dad have deep roots of tradition in the Friese family.

Survivors include his parents of Friedheim; a loving brother, Blake Herbert Friese of Fort Stockton; paternal grandmother, Betty Friese of Friedheim; a special uncle, Mark Friese of Jackson; and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Nelson Friese; maternal grandparents, Jack Boyd and Patsy Boyd Welker; and maternal uncle, Stewart Boyd.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9 a.m. until time of service Thursday at Cape County Cowboy Church near Oak Ridge, I-55 and Exit 111.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will follow with Waylon being laid to rest next to his grandparents at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Friedheim.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Cape County Cowboy Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.