Jeffrey A. Friedman

Jeffrey Anton Friedman passed away at Texas Health HEB Hospital in Bedford, Texas, on January 24, 2022. His death was caused by respiratory complications of Covid-19, which he developed while at the Westpark Rehabilitation facility in Euless, Texas, undergoing physical therapy. Jeffrey was born on July 18, 1949. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas, where he graduated from Beaumont High School. He then attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Jeffrey served his country during the Vietnam era in the United States Coast Guard. Jeffrey married Debra Rawlins on September 10, 1981, and they resided in Houston, Texas, and then Katy, Texas, for 35 years. Five years ago, they moved to Arlington, Texas, to be close to their son, Chase, and their three grandchildren. Jeffrey was the son of Rabbi Newton and Rosalie Friedman. Jeffrey is Jewish and, as is tradition, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at age 13. His funeral is being conducted according to Jewish customs by Rabbi Neil Katz of Tyler. Jeff loved his children and placed their needs above his own. He took great pride that all three of his children graduated from college with two of them receiving master's degrees. For the past five years he and Debra lived with their son, Chase, and three grandchildren. Jeff loved being surrounded by his family. Many holidays were spent with his brother Gary and his wife Vicki at the family ranch outside of Brenham. In addition to being a devoted father and grandfather, Jeff was a devoted son. He was a "hands on" caregiver to his mother, Rosalie Friedman Shaw, during the later years of her life (she lived to be 100 and suffered from dementia during her later years). Those who knew Jeffrey saw him as a complex man. He could be stubborn and difficult, but on the other hand, he had a heart of gold and was generous to a fault. He was kind to strangers and those less fortunate. Long before it became popular, he had friends regardless of race or national origin. He would truly give the shirt off his back to a stranger in need. During most of his life, Jeff was rarely seen wearing shoes or slacks, rather he wore less expensive open-toed sandals and drawstring pants. He asked little for himself, while striving to see that his family was well provided. Jeffrey was the owner of Associated Coin Exchange in Houston, Texas, where he dealt in numismatics, rare coins, jewelry, and bullion. He later operated a small vending machine company. Jeffrey had a love of history, especially that of the Civil War era. He was quite knowledgeable about world history as well as current events and could discuss them at length. Life sometimes takes strange twists. One of the last pandemics to affect the United States was the Hong Kong flu (1968-70). It caused a million deaths - most due to pneumonia. One of those deaths was our father, Rabbi Newton J. Friedman. We watched as our father lay in a hospital bed in Beaumont, Texas, a dusky blue in color and struggling to breathe despite being on a ventilator. He suffered greatly and succumbed to his disease on January 30, 1970. His father's death profoundly affected Jeff who was 20 at the time and in college. Fifty-two years later (almost to the day) Jeffrey, too, suffered severe shortness of breath, struggling to breathe due to pneumonia in both lungs as a result of the virus causing the Covid-19 pandemic. As was the case with his father, despite the use of oxygen and IV medications, Jeffrey suffered respiratory failure and died from his disease. This coming week we will say Kaddish at the yahrzeit for both Jeffrey and his father, Rabbi Newton J. Friedman. We will pray that God has united Jeff with both parents in the life hereafter. Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Debra Rawlins Friedman, and his children Chase Friedman and his wife Rachel, Michaela Friedman and Raechel Redene Friedman, . He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Gary Kanter Friedman, and his wife Vicki, and by his grandchildren Juliet Grace Friedman, Carter Matthew Friedman, and Amelia Rose Friedman, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Jeffrey should be remembered for his love of family, love of God and country and his selflessness and his generosity. He was a very good man. He will live in our hearts. A private graveside service will be held with immediate family members at Prairie Point Cemetery in Kerens, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Lung Association. . •

Jeffrey A. Friedman

July 18, 1949 - January 24, 2022