James R. Farrell

Bob was born on January 31, 1925, in Washington, DC to Robert Plowden Farrell and India Grace Oliff. He graduated from Fairfax High School and served in the Navy for 3 ½ years on the Landing Ship Tank (LST) 986 during World War II where he survived seven major invasions in the Pacific campaign. Bob began a career with the Army Security Agency in the summer of 1949 at Arlington Hall Station, Virginia where he traveled to Turkey, Germany, Ethiopia, and Okinawa. He retired after 40 years of government service.

Bob was proud of his Irish heritage, traveled to Ireland and enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Bob loved reading and collected a wide range of history books from the Civil War forward. Bob was an author and wrote a book about his life history to share what life was like during that era. He was an avid fan of the Washington baseball teams, from the Senators to the Nationals. He coached Falls Church Little League Baseball and was very involved supporting Falls Church High School football and wrestling. Bob, along with his wife Grace, volunteered at Fairfax Hospital. He also served as a Deacon at the National Gardens Church in Falls Church and sang in the choir with his wife Grace.

Bob is survived by his children, John Roy Farrell (Donna), James Robert Farrell Jr. (Nancy), Margaret Grace Stokley (Robert) and his 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Grace Nichols Farrell and his wife of 15 years, Mattie Caton Farrell; his brother Lee Roy Farrell, his son Tommy Lee Farrell; and his grandsons, John Roy Farrell Jr., and Daniel Bryan Farrell.

A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held on June 5th at 2:00 PM. at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Rd., Herndon, VA 20171. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Boys Town.