Well Jeff, you sound like a great friend. But you have to be willing to give people a chance.
I have a friend like you. He has VERY few friends and a LOT of horrible background stories. He has a very hard time trusting. He is now 53. He was not a JW, but was in another controlling religion ( not quite as much as JWs).
He decided as a teen he would never have children or get married, and he hasn't. Although he missed out on much in life, he is also still finding the strength to try to enjoy life. He is a very good friend of mine, the most genuine person I know.
You will find friends, you WILL. The KH friends are mostly not really genuine friends as many here have pointed out, and you might have also found out.... Condintional friends. You are in complete and total control of you. You can decide to do, or not do...whatever you believe in your heart is right. It is not for others to tell you what to do or think.
People on this forum are very supportive and great resourses. I do hope you stick around. There is no perfect friend, but there are true friends.