John Robert (Bob) Friday, 85, formerly of Ponca City, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida. Bob was born on January 14th, 1935 to Ernest and Robbye Friday in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Enid and Stillwater, Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University where he studied Chemical Engineering and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He met his future wife, Jane Wilson, on a blind date and they married in 1958. Bob pursued his masters and doctoral degrees at Purdue University, graduating in 1963. Bob began his 18 year career at Continental Oil Company. During his time in Ponca, he served as a city commissioner from 1974 to 1978, helping the city to partner with Conoco to acquire the Marland Mansion. Bob was active in the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and an elder and enjoyed singing in the choir. In 1979, he took a leadership position with Conoco in Houston, followed by 4 years with CE Lummus in New Jersey, and later, consulting work in Houston. He and Jane moved to New Hampshire, in 1995, and to Sarasota, Florida in 2012. He is survived by his beloved wife Jane Wilson Friday; children John Friday (w. Mindy) of Sugar Land, Texas, Janet Friday of Seattle, Washington and Ellen Steinwachs (h. Jeffrey) of Sarasota, Florida; and grandchildren Sydney and Mac Friday of Sugar Land, Texas, Sarah Elkan of Seattle, Washington, and Abigail, Will and Caroline Steinwachs of Sarasota, Florida. A virtual celebration of life is planned. If you would like to make a gift in Bob’s memory, please consider a monetary donation to your local food bank or to Sarasota Meals on Wheels, where he volunteered for many years.