Kenneth Oscar Farrell was born the son of Oscar Riley Farrell and Ella Elizabeth (Putman) Farrell on September 10, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, and departed this life January 22, 2014, at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at the age of 79 years.
He was united in marriage on October 31, 1954, in Thayer, Missouri, to Mary Sue Risner.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Mary Sue Farrell; one daughter, Sheree Lynn Shea and husband, Jon of Richardson, Texas; one son, Grant Arden Farrell of Charleston, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Aaron Jay Bollinger, Amber Lynn Bollinger, Callum Grant Farrell and Elam Newhart Farrell; one brother, Don Farrell, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two sisters, Mary Alice Davis of Springfield, Missouri, and Jean Kremeier of Yukon, Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ella Farrell; one son, Kenneth Paul Farrell; two sisters, Thelma Atkinson and Dorothy Crews.
Ken worked in the food service business most of his life. He owned A&W Drive-In restaurants in West Plains, Springfield, and Rolla, Missouri, and Springdale, Arkansas for several years, while at the same time, operating his own dairy farm. Later, he and his wife, Mary, owned and operated Warm Fork Restaurant in Thayer, where Ken was well known for his culinary skills.
He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid quail hunter, along with his dog, Duke.
He was a member of the Church of Christ and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandpa, as well as a loyal friend. He will truly be missed by all.
Funeral Services for Mr. Farrell will be Sunday, January 26, 2014, at 2:00 PM at the Church of Christ in Thayer, Missouri.
The family will receive friends at the Church of Christ in Thayer on Sunday, January 26th from 12:30 until 2:00 PM, with the funeral service following.
Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery at Thayer, Missouri, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Farrell’s memory to Fairhaven Children’s Home in Strafford, Missouri, and may be left at the Funeral Home in Thayer.
January 23, 2014 @ 4:49 pm
Mary, Grant, and families, you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
January 24, 2014 @ 7:17 am
Mary, our hearts go out to you and your family in the loss of Ken. We are sorry that we cannot attend the funeral, but we will be thinking of you in our prayers. We’ve always loved you when you were here in Springfield and we love you even more as we share in your sorrows. Dennis and Carolyn Smith
January 24, 2014 @ 3:34 pm
Mary, Grant and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Ken was a fine Christian man and we are so thankful for the time we knew him.
Karl & Susan
January 25, 2014 @ 11:35 am
Mary, I’m so sorry to hear about Ken. You folks were always so good to me when I ran the bread route, I always enjoyed talking with Ken. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers !
January 25, 2014 @ 4:42 pm
Our prayers are with all of you. God bless
January 25, 2014 @ 10:21 pm
Mary, Grant, and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God wrap his loving arms around you in the days ahead. We feel very blessed to have known Ken and have so many wonderful memories of him.
Larry, Lisa, Christopher, & Brandon