Thomas Joy Friday

Thomas J. Friday (Tom), 95 of Midland, Texas, passed away on December 17, 2024. A visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on December 22, 2024, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. A service will be held at Noon on December 23, 2024 at the First Christian Church, Midland, TX . Burial will take place 11:00am, Monday, December 30, 2024 at Fairview Cemetery in Midland.

Tom was born on July 15, 1929 in Roscoe, Texas to Olan and Etta Friday. Tom grew up in Pecos, Texas and moved to Midland in 1944 when he was 15. Tom graduated from Midland High School in 1949. Tom served in Korea with the United States Army with the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. Tom graduated in 1955 from Texas Tech University with a degree in Business Administration. Tom married Marilyn Francis Humphries in 1958 at the First Christian Church in Midland. Tom and Marilyn had one son, David Thomas Friday.

In 1957, Tom went to work for Plymouth Oil Company, which became Marathon Oil Company. He retired from Marathon in 1986. Tom owned and operated the Red Wing Shoe Stores in Midland and San Angelo, and the Friday Boot Company. Tom spent much of his working life at Marathon Oil Company. He also moonlighted at his Red Wing Store. He enjoyed making Cowboy Boots and doing Shoe Repairs. After Tom retired from Marathon Oil Company, he enjoyed driving and working at his Red Wing Shoe Store until a few weeks before his death.

Tom was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Midland and was a patron of Texas Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston and the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas.

Tom had several hobbies including raising pecan trees, camping, hunting, fishing, guns, coins, learning about history and extensive Bible Study. Tom loved his family, friends and charities. Tom was extremely generous and very much enjoyed giving to his family and his favorite charities. Tom was an active member of the First Christian Church.

Tom is survived by David Friday, his wife, Susan Friday (Midland) and granddaughters, Sarah Katherine Friday (Dartmouth, New Hampshire) and Lauren Victoria Friday (Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas).

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Olan Friday and Etta Pope Friday; his sisters, Argretta Wilde and Sylvia Bell and brother, Minard Dale Friday.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Connie Butler, Angel Care Hospice, Manor Park, the Red Wing Shoe Store, Midland and the Red Wing Shoe Store, San Angelo and Dr. Russell Van Husen and CPA Kathy Lupardus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriner Children’s Hospital, the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, the First Christian Church of Midland or Trinity School of Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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