Rex Friend was a longtime supporter of the Oklahoma Faith Network (formerly Oklahoma Conference of Churches). Among many roles, he served as a Communion Leader and board member, as well as an enthusiastic member of the Religions United Committee that hosts the Interfaith Youth Tour. His passionate and steadfast presence contributed so much to our work, and is sorely missed in the interfaith justice community.

Raised on the Friend family ranch in Freedom, Oklahoma, Rex learned early to work hard and play hard. He earned degrees from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma. Rex lived in the Oklahoma City area for over 45 years, building community and friendships across the metro. His life’s work was to help people - as a lawyer, cowboy, social justice advocate, nature lover, and much more.

Rex delighted in surprising people as a country boy who worked for progressive causes, both as an immigration attorney and in the many organizations he supported furthering human rights and racial equality for all.

Rex’s work also included death penalty appeals. As a board member of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) for over 20 years, Rex worked for justice and mercy on many fronts, overseeing demonstrations and securing the release of those arrested during civil disobedience events. Rex was often a spokesperson educating others regarding the legal, social and moral implications of capital punishment and retribution, and ways in which society can use nonviolent means to achieve a more peaceful and just society.