January 12, 1942 – April 15, 2022
Donald “Joe” Farley, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 15, 2022, after a long battle with COPD. He was 80 years old.
Born January 12, 1942, in Las Cruces, NM, Joe was a self-motivated learner, highly intelligent and a hard worker. Above all, he was a devoted family man, loved by many and will be sorely missed.
After a brief time in California, Joe’s family moved to Arizona in 1950, finally settling in Queen Creek, Arizona, where he lived until he and his wife moved to the county island between Mesa and Apache Junction. It was there that they raised their family and still live today.
Joe worked the farms around Queen Creek and took an interest in electrical work. With permission, he watched electricians and learned the trade. Always the man to hunger for more, Joe began creating machines that didn’t exist before then. One of those machines — a conveyor for loading potatoes onto trucks — was used for decades and outlived the man who was sure it would never work. Joe’s career as an electrician began with residential electrical work and evolved into Master Electrician, Programmer and Machinist. He would dream programs and built programs that would measure and cut to precision. The people he worked with and customers he had over the years came to care for and value Joe as a friend. He was a jokester who could match wits with the best of them, and will long be remembered for his sense of humor.
Joe taught himself Hebrew, to better study the Bible. He taught Sunday School in his younger years, lead Bible studies, and enjoyed in-depth conversations on his Christian faith. Joe had a shot at minor league baseball, but passed it up. He was a skilled painter and gardener. Together, Joe and his wife enjoyed spending time on the Mogollon Rim, especially camping with their immediate and extended family. A tradition the family will continue, with fond memories of Joe.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, George William and Lanie “Bertha” (Calloway) Farley, and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Cathy (Hobbs) Farley. His sons David (Challis) Farley, Robert “Bobby” (Pamela) Farley. Grandchildren, Eric, Scott, Shelby (Kris), Laura, Jenna, Abigail, and Maya. One great grandchild, Zechariah. Siblings, John “Jack” (Diane), Richard “Dick” (Jessica), Wanda, and Ray, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in the chapel room at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery, 7900 E Main St., Mesa, AZ 85207.
