Rex Neil Farley's Obituary
Rex Neil Farley, 84, passed away November 4, 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Betty Jo North Farley. He is survived by a daughter who loved and adored him, Karen Farley, of Memphis. He was born in Cisco, TX December 6, 1931. His parents were Allen D. Farley and Wilma Ethel George Farley. He was also predeceased by a sister, Louise Farley Morrison, and his brother and best friend, Jerry Donald Farley. He is also survived by two nephews, Steven Allen Farley of Fort Collins, CO, and Joe Farley and his wife, Astrid, of Horseshoe Lake, TX. Rex also leaves loving cousins, Betty Carol George Rahe of Dallas, TX, her daughter, Anja Rahe Shoaf and her husband, George, also of Dallas, and Kimberly Williams Wingerson of The Woodlands, TX. Rex resided in Lafayette, LA for 44 years until he relocated to Memphis eight months ago. Rex worked in the petroleum industry his entire career. His father instilled a love of hard work in him at an early age, helping him secure summer jobs in the oil fields in West Texas. He attended Cisco Junior College and Texas A&M before entering the U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War in South Korea, where he developed an appreciation for tools, which he used to maintain aircraft to be ready for flight at a moment’s notice. He always said one of his biggest regrets was the he declined the Air Force’s offer to enter pilot training because he did not want to re-enlist for four years. Rex was discharged honorably and returned to West Texas where he began employment with the Humble Oil & Refining Company. Over the next 30 years, Rex worked in drilling, exploration and production as the company offered him opportunities for professional growth. Early in his career, he exaggerated his truck driving experience in order to be eligible to drive water trucks to extinguish oil well fires fought by Red Adair in West Texas. As his reputation for hard work and skills grew, he achieved professional success with Humble and its successor corporation, Exxon. Special assignments that he enjoyed most included consulting on the mapping of the Alaskan Pipeline, a joint venture of Humble and other petroleum companies, and development of offshore drilling projects and workforce training in the Sea of Japan. Rex started his walk in the Christian faith as a member of the cradle roll at First Baptist Church of Cisco, TX. Later, his tool skills served him well as he served on building and grounds committees of churches where his family worshipped. As he grew older, his tool skills became more refined, and he enjoyed woodworking, including duck carving and furniture building. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Lafayette, LA. Rex had been under the watch care of Trinity Baptist Church, Cordova, TN, for many years, where he visited often until he joined Trinity after he relocated to Memphis. He loved his Trinity Sunday School class. His daughter extends special appreciation to the Quail Ridge Assisted Care facility for allowing Rex to be more than a resident. He assisted in preparing early morning coffee, serving it to the sweet ladies who were waiting for the dining room to open each morning. He also enjoyed the responsibility of assisting the nurses as they made their rounds dispensing medications. Visitation will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., 2-4 p.m. Sunday, November 6. A family graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Cisco, TX.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119 “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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