Date of Birth: November 25, 1936
Date of Death: July 06, 2023
Joseph Merle Farrier, 86, passed away on July 6, 2023, after a short illness. Joe was born in Springfield, Oregon on November 25, 1936. During his years in Oregon, he lived in Eugene and Oak Ridge and had his sister and several life-long friends there. Joe worked for the lumber mill there and learned to love the outdoor life… especially fly fishing. After successfully teaching an archery class one year, he was encouraged by a friend to pursue a career in education, and he was blessed with an opportunity to move to Arizona. Joe moved to Phoenix and attended Glendale Community College and Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1973 and Master of Arts in Education in 1976. Mr. Farrier began working as a Junior High Science teacher in Washington Elementary School District in 1973. He truly enjoyed his career and working with the teachers and students at 3 schools in the district… Senita, Sahuaro, and Desert Foothills Junior High. In 1987, he was named the Arizona Science Teacher of the Year in the middle school division by the Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA). In 1988, he was selected as the Outstanding Junior High Science Teacher by the Arizona Council of Engineering and Scientific Associations, a coalition of Arizona school districts and universities and scientific industries whose main goal is to support science education. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University for several years. Joe met and married his wife, Gale, just as she began her teaching career in the same school district. Thus began their life-long adventure together… 45 beautiful years… as he taught her to love the outdoor life right along with him. They enjoyed camping, hiking, target shooting… and then Marriage Encounter led them to meet dear friends who introduced them to sailing. Joe was an excellent captain of his 26’ sloop, and they spent many summers sailing in San Diego out of the Phoenix heat with their sweet kitties, Skeeter and Cricket. They were also blessed with trips to Germany, France, Switzerland, and Scotland, plus cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. Joe savored life’s experiences and was always ready for the next new adventure. His artistic talents included playing the harmonica, guitar, piano and oil painting. He especially appreciated nature and the beauty of our world. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his dear sister, Sandy. Joe is survived by his adoring wife, Gale, and the two children he lovingly helped her raise… Debbie and Jon Hollabaugh (Dyan) along with grandchildren, Casia, Anna, Skye (Kyle), and Paige (Weston), and great-grandchildren Rylynn, Brooklynn, Blake, Sloan, and Liam. Joe is also survived by his three beautiful daughters from a previous marriage… Laurie, Beckie, and Mari and their dear families. Joe will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Be sure to hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. Appreciate every moment this life gives you... it goes by so fast.
Service Information
A private celebration of life for family will be held.