Elwin Robert (Bob) Friar Jr.

Elwin Robert “Bob” Friar, age 80, of Ocean Springs, MS, departed this Earth on Sunday, February 17, 2013. Bob was born in Gulfport, MS on September 14, 1932 and had been a resident of Ocean Springs since 1992. He resided with his family in Houston, TX for 35 years, where he worked in the oil industry as a Geophysicist and Computer Program Supervisor at Petty Ray Geophysical/ Geosource. He was currently employed at the Isle of Capri Casino and previously worked at the President Casino prior to Katrina. He was involved in his neighborhood in Houston, a Computer group, the Jaycees and was always building, fixing or remodeling something. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He also served in the Mississippi National Guard and was a committee member who held several positions of the Sugarland, TX, Jaycees. Bob was a devoted, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a huge contributor in his family, and a selfless man of heart and loyalty to all. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 48 years, Willene Dunaway Friar, his parents Elwin R. Friar Sr., and Rita Brown Friar and a special aunt, Hilda Friar. Survivors include his two daughters, Beth Skweres, (Chris Schonefeld) of Cypress, TX, and Elisa Montgomery of Fishers, IN, grandchildren, Sarah Lessman of Houston, TX, Andrew Lessman and his wife Veronica, of Tomball, TX, Zachary Skweres of Cypress, TX, and Ryan Friar of Muncie, IN, and Mackenzie Montgomery, Fishers, IN, a great-grandson, Austin Lessman, special aunt, Naomi Garvey of Metarie, LA. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 11 am until 12 Noon, with a 12 Noon Celebration of his life at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Lung Association of MS, P.O. Box 2178, Ridgeland, MS, 39158 or to Gamblers Anonymous, P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, CA, 90017.