Ernest Raymond Farren

Ernest Raymond Farren died Sunday, September 13, 2015. Known as both Ernie and Ray to friends and family, he was a truly great, brilliant, and compassionate man. Ernest was born May 4, 1928 in Odon, Indiana. At the age of two, he moved with his parents, Lena Mae (Blevens) Farren and Alva Laverne Farren, to Prosser, Washington, and within a short time the family moved to Yakima. Because of the war effort, Ernest obtained his driver's license at the age of 14 and began delivering products for his dad's company. He was a gifted mechanic, rebuilding car engines and building hot rods before he was out of high school. A Yakima High School football game was the start of dating between Ernest Raymond and his future wife, Maxine Mosebar. On a dare from his friends, he got the courage to put his arm around the prettiest girl he'd ever seen; after that it was true love forever. Afternoons he'd drive up and rev the engine of his 1924 Red Chevrolet hot rod (which he built) in front of the principal's office, where "straight A" student Maxine worked after school, and Maxine would be out the door to ride home with him ... leaving the principal behind frowning with disapproval. Ernie graduated early from Yakima High School in January 1947, and joined the Navy. He was serving on the Destroyer U.S.S. Soley off the Atlantic Coast when he was injured in an engine room explosion. After many weeks in a naval hospital, he was honorably discharged, and returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Maxine, on October 14, 1947. Ernie graduated from Central Washington University with a teaching degree, majoring in math, science and history. Ernest began his teaching career in the 1950's at Castlevale Elementary School, and moved in the 1960's to teaching at Moxee Elementary, and later East Valley Middle School, where he taught for 40 years. He never met an engine he couldn't fix, nor a child he couldn't teach. Each and every student who came through his classroom was important to him, and he was proud of them. A master woodworker, Ernest built his family's home, and filled it with handmade furniture and woodwork. In the tradition of his parents and grandparents, he worked his family farm and orchard with pride. His garden produced enough to feed his family along with many friends and neighbors during harvest time. Ernest was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He spent many hours boat fishing Clear Lake, Rimrock and nearby lakes with his dad and dad-in-law, Howard Mosebar. He loved to take his family on camping trips and to the annual family trip to Westport every summer. Ernie was a handsome and brilliant husband, and devoted Dad. He was soft spoken with a kind and generous heart, and was friend to all he knew. He gave of himself to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers, and helped everyone who needed it. He was truly a great man. Ernest Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Lena and Alva Farren, brother Royce Farren, and sisters Helen Hill, Maxine Shaver, and Geneva Lacey. Ernest is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Maxine (Mosebar) Farren; and his family, Jennifer Farren, Teresa Farren (Jim Roberts) and Heather Farren (Jason Wood). He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who meant the world to him. Visitation and viewing will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral on Friday, September 18, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the Vigil service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Cathedral on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. A committal service will follow at Calvary Cemetery with full military honors. To share a memory of Ernest, please visit www.keithandkeith.com