John Swadey Farrell

John Swadey Farrell, 78, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2016 in High Point, North Carolina.

John was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio until the age of five when his family settled in Wilmington. Here he spent his childhood years, graduating with longtime friends and the New Hanover High School Class of 1956. After earning his bachelor's degree from Mount Union College, he moved to Woodcliff Lake, NJ where he served for a while as a local councilman.

John was fortunate to find his life's work early, a career in the furniture business. He cut his teeth for 25 years in sales, until setting out and launching his own custom furniture design and manufacturing business. In 1991, he relocated to Thomasville where he became extremely active in the community, advancing the craft of quality, American made furniture. He was extremely proud that his children remain active in running the furniture business after his retirement.

Outside of work, John was a man of rich and varied interests. He played competitive doubles tennis and golfed several times a week; was an avid poker player with friends in Davidson County and Guilford County; and enjoyed volunteering his time and energy with the Lions Club of Thomasville. With an innate love of history, he traveled extensively with his beloved wife to Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Paris, Italy, the Danube and Rhine rivers and more.

Without a doubt, John's greatest source of happiness was spending time with friends and family, finding particular joy in attending his grandchildren's extracurricular activities. He also had a special place in his heart for cats, especially his loyal feline companion, Clyde.

John will be greatly missed by his friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Farrell, son, Sean Farrell and wife Pamela of Colfax; his daughter, Tracie Farrell Anderson of High Point; his grandchildren, Jessica James Farrell and John Tristan Farrell. He is predeceased by his parents, John H. Farrell and Eleanor K. Farrell, of Wilmington, and his brother, James "Jimmy" Farrell, of Wilmington.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Sechrest Funeral Service located at 1301 E. Lexington Avenue, High Point, NC. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Lions Club of Thomasville, P.O. Box 1303, Thomasville, NC, 27761-1303.