Harold Jay Friedrich

Harold Jay Friedrich, 78, passed away, Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at his home in Eagar, Arizona. He was born August 17, 1945 in Sunnyside, Washington.

While growing up, funds for Harold’s family were limited. As such he took it upon himself to search junkyards for discarded bike parts. After finally gathering enough parts he successfully built his own bike which he rode for miles and hours each day. That project foreshadowed his adult lifelong love of cars and trucks ending in his successful rebuilding of a beautiful maroon 1936 Ford.

After high school Harold served his country in the United States Army and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1971 and earning medals for National Defense Service, Vietnam Service and Campaign and Good Conduct. After this discharge he enlisted in the Air National Guard and served for 16 more years. Following his Army discharge, Harold began a 30 year career as a Communications Technician for Mountain Bell and it’s subsequent subsidiaries.

In 1984 after a whirlwind courtship he married the love of his life, Gloria Jean Davis. Harold always told his friends and family that the best thing that ever happened in his life was meeting Gloria and being smart enough to marry her. With their own two hands and great imaginations, Harold and Gloria gave older homes beautiful new lives in five cities: Boise, Eagle, Blackfoot, Tucson and Eagar. Before marrying Gloria, Harold asked her 11 year old son, Robert for permission to become part of their family and Robert said, “OK!” Over the ensuing years the bond between the two grew and deepened illustrated by Harold’s gift to Robert of a first fixer upper car.

Harold loved to hunt and fish and go camping as well as dirt biking and restoring older, neglected cars and trucks; especially his restored 1936 Ford. Most of all he loved his wife, Gloria and son, Robert. He was a simple, kind and gentle man and always willing to share his love with all. He will be greatly missed.

Harold is survived by his wife, Gloria Friedrich, son, Robert F. (Patti) Davis, sisters, Vivian Goff, Nampa, Idaho; Shirley Linn, Woodburn, Oregon; and Ila Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alta Friedrich, sister, Dorothy Knapp, brother, Jim Fairfull, nephew, Tim Goff and niece, Debbie Goff.

A viewing will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, followed by a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. at the Eagar Cemetery.