LTC Robert Joseph Farris, US Army, Retired

R.J. Farris, age 75, resident of Orlando, FL, died on May 9, 2020, of natural causes.

He is survived by Nancy, his college sweetheart and loving, faithful wife of almost 53 years. He is also survived by his daughter, Sarah Farris, Ed.D, a counselor at the Singapore American School, Singapore; his daughter, Amy Joffe; son-in law, Evan Joffe; and grandchildren, Joel and Anne Joffe, all of Orlando.

He was a graduate of Fleming County High School; the University of KY (BS, Agriculture), where he was a member of Alpha Zeta and Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternities; and of Golden Gate University (Master, Public Administration).

R.J. was a distinguished ROTC graduate and was commissioned a 2nd Lt, Infantry, in the U.S. Regular Army. During his 20 year active Army career he served in troop assignments with airborne, ranger, and Special Forces units. He also served on the Army Staff and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. During the Vietnam War, he was an advisor to and served in combat with the 32nd Vietnamese Ranger battalion. He later was an instructor in the U.S. Army’s Ranger School, and was an original member of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

Upon retirement from the Army, he worked for over 19 years as a government contract employee in the Washington, D.C. and Orlando, FL areas supporting projects for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security; U.S. Southern Command; Office of National Drug Control Policy; National Drug Intelligence Center; U.S. Army Special Operations Command; and the U.S. Special Operations Command.

He was a member of the Special Forces Regiment; Special Forces Association, the U.S. Army Ranger Association, 75th Ranger Association., Association. of the U.S. Army, and the VFW. He was also past president of the Orlando-Central FL AFCEA Chapter and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Orlando Chapter of NDIA.

In retirement, RJ and Nancy enjoyed time spent with each other, their children, grandchildren, friends, antiquing, and traveling. Volunteer activities included Dr. Phillips Hospital (DPH), Spiritual Care Department, the DPH Pet Therapy Program, and St. Luke’s UMC Canine Crusaders. He was also a member of the Marble Collectors Society of America.

R.J. Farris is a Christian. He was an adult Sunday school teacher for several years and a commissioned “Stephen Minister.” Upon moving to Florida, he and his wife, Nancy, joined First Baptist Church of Orlando. There they were active in the Family Ties Sunday school class and served many years as Care Group Leaders. R.J. served as a part of the teaching team for the class. He was also a member of the Gideons International’s Orlando Southwest Camp.

A memorial service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon International, www.gideons.org, to support the purchase and distribution of Bibles in his memory. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.