James Farrell

James Russell Farrell, 81, a 35-year resident of Shelby Township. Died Wednesday June 16 in Shelby Township. Jim was born July 27, 1931 in Saint Clair Shores. Jim served in the United States Air Force Reserves 1951-1954 and was a long time Mason since 1956. In 1997 he retired as a construction superintendent as he spent most of his career in the commercial construction business.
Jim was married to the Late Bobbie for 50 years at the time of her passing in 2002. . Jim is survived by his children Cynthia Colby, Suzanne Ted Boehmer, Russell Karen Farrell, Mary Rob Fisher and the Late Kathleen Ann Gerlach; 15 grand children and many great grand children.
Family will receive friends Monday June 24th, 2013 at 11:00 am until time of the Celebration of Life Services 12 Noon at the Wm Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road 3 Blocks East of VanDyke Utica
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The family of James R. Russell would like to share the following memories of their father with you. Born James Russell Farrell in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan July 27, 1931 at the start of the Great Depression. Dad would become the only child of Russell and Ida. He grew up in a modest frame home on a dirt road with ditches on Beverly Drive at 10 1/2 and Jefferson. There was a coal stove to cook and heat with and a flowing well in the back yard. Dad had many an adventures outside with his dog, in a rowboat on the lake, and with the many friends in the area growing up. During those times Selfridge ANGB was just forming Dad had a keen interest in airplanes as many boys did then, especially as WWII began. I'm sure this lead to him joining the Air Force Reserve in 1951 and spending a lot of time at Selfridge Base. He was thrilled to get the occasional ride in a two seater when the officers were out getting their training hours in. Jimmy and his Mom Ida were very close. She kept the best, sweetest baby book of him growing up. It's still fascinating to read details of birthday parties, school work, and the backyard tea party with Cousin Barbra, and getting in trouble for playing in the ditches.
As a young boy Dad was bitten by a stray dog and went thru the dreaded rabies shots. He remembered that very clearly for being so young. Sadly Dads mother Ida died at home when he was in his late teens and thing got much harder for him but like most people in that time he worked hard to make the most of things. Dad had jobs that he always made sound so interesting but you know could not have been easy. I think all people growing up in those times truly knew that it was up to you to make a life for yourself and there weren't social programs out there that provide everything as it is today. Those early jobs included a newspaper route on Jefferson, painting yachts and houses, Packard Motors, City of Detroit Tunnel Inspector, delivering fuel oil and ready mix concrete, selling concrete and epoxies, and building-construction superintendent.
He was very proud to have worked for some of the finest companies anywhere on some very large and interesting projects. Including Albert Kahn, Giffels Associates, and Hubble, Roth and Clark. As with many people of this generation, Dad was very patriotic and involved with our countries struggles during war times. His father served in the Army in WW1 with the Michigan Red Arrow Division that paid a heavy price and were there at the end helping finish it. Dad married Bobbie Joan Pepper in 1952 and always credited her with making him the man he was. They we married 50 years at her passing in 2002. They had Kathy in 54, Cindy in 55, Suzy in 56, Russ in 58, and 'surprise, Mary in 64. Wow, what start. Can you imagine taking five kids and a dog trailer camping for 15 years! I think we've been to every park in Michigan! And we camped a bit in Canada and made two big trips to Virginia to see some of Mom's family. In 1970 we made the big move to live up north in Wolverine. I was a new adventure for all of us. One by one the girls married or moved back to the big city. Then Mom and Dad moved back in 1978, settled in Shelby Twp. Throughout this time Mom and Dad loved to drive and see the area around them and go 'antiquing'. Sometimes known as junking. They brought home oil lamps, phones, small furniture pieces, and lots other stuff to fix up and restore to collect, sell, and gift. Mom was big on glass ware and cookies jars. I think Dad mostly liked the hunt and restore part, even if it didn't always sound that way. Dad liked to impart wisdom in many ways, Mom too. One way was stories; somehow he found time to read a lot. He knew more about all different religions and different peoples than anyone I ever met. Both he and Mom used many, many different expressions, often age appropriate. Mom said; "If you watch the nickels and dimes, the dollars take care of themselves", "If you lye down with dogs, you get up with fleas" Dad had; "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!", "Don't promote a competent boyfriend into an incompetent husband", "You are a product of your environment", "Think first, speak clearly, and always tell the truth", "Lead by example" and "Treat others as you would like to be treated". And there were many, many more. In the last nursing home he was in, he was a little bothered by all the different people coming in and out but knew they were there to help. But, that might have prompted the very last expression he put up by the door, "Tell the truth & mind your own business". My wife Karen always said he should have been a teacher, I believe he was. Russ Farrell 6/14/2013