Al passed away on September 3, 2023 at the age of 86 after a lengthy illness stemming from a boating accident in 2016. He was born in New Orleans on March 15, 1937 to Alan C. Farries Sr. and Gladys Carruth Farries and was raised in New Roads and Baton Rouge. He was a proud graduate of Baton Rouge High (class of 1955) and of Louisiana State University. At LSU, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, studied pre-med and met his future wife, Babs McGowen. They were married immediately after his graduation and moved to New Orleans so Al could start medical school. He earned his MD from LSU Medical Center in New Orleans in 1963 and then completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Confederate Memorial Medical Center in Shreveport.
The family then relocated to Baton Rouge in 1968, and Al joined the Bone and Joint Clinic where he maintained a successful practice for over 40 years. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and a frequent volunteer at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. But, his free time was mostly consumed by his other true passion, fishing. He could spend hours discussing the latest insights on rods, reels, boats, motors, lures, and fishing holes with anyone who would listen and he came to know the waterways of South Louisiana better than most.
He was predeceased by his parents and an older brother, William Carruth Farries. He is survived by his wife, Babs, to whom he was married for 64 years. He is also survived by his three children: daughter Kathy Pearce and her husband Allen of Baton Rouge; son Michael Farries of Denver; daughter Paige Farries of Baton Rouge; and his three grandchildren, Adam, Duncan, and Julia Pearce. In addition, he is survived by 3 siblings and their spouses, Gwen Kline (Don) of California, Gail Taber (Bill) of Houston, and David Farries (Kathryn) of Houston as well as several nieces and nephews.
Since his boating accident in 2016, he has been expertly cared for at St. James Place, Highland Court Nursing, and the family is deeply appreciative of the excellent and compassionate care he received. We are also grateful for the wonderful care provided by Hospice of Baton Rouge in his final months. Services will be held Friday September 8th, 2023 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Visitation will begin at 1PM with the service following immediately at 2PM. Internment will take place at a later date at the columbarium at St. James Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank or Hospice of Baton Rouge.
