Derell Lynn Farley

Derell Lynn Farley of Houston, Texas passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the age of 79. Derell was born on November 8, 1945, in Houston. He grew up on Joyce Street in Northside Village and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1964. Derell married and began his family with Georgia Giblin in Northside. Derell later reconnected and married Laura Qualls. They were married on August 4, 1979, enjoying a 45-year marriage.

Derell was employed by General Motors Parts Distribution, then embarked on a 35-year railroad career in 1968 with Southern Pacific, and subsequently Union Pacific. Derell worked as a brakeman, locomotive fireman, and a locomotive engineer, primarily in the Houston area, but also from Lafayette, Louisiana to Del Rio, Texas. He retired from the railroad in 2005.

Derell was raised to Master Mason in April 1976 and held the Degrees of Scottish Rite and York Rite. He joined the Arabia Shrine Temple in January 1980.

Derell was a three-time survivor of cancer and was always grateful for his recovery and for the great professionals at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Derell was never present in a place where laughter and fun didn’t follow. He was always the life of the party entertaining with his quick wit in conversation and stories. Derell was an avid hunter, enjoying deer hunts in western, central and south Texas, with his father, brothers, nephews, grandsons, son-in-law and friends. Derell also took great joy in his side hustle embroidery business Farley’s Specialties, his backyard fruit trees, cooking on his outdoor grill, and his extended families at the Rose Garden and the Track Shack.

Derell is survived by his wife Laura Farley of Houston, his son Robert Gordon (Junior) Farley of Del Rio, TX and his daughter Micki Scott of New Braunfels, TX. He has 5 grandchildren, Dustin Scott (Alex) of Hearne, TX, Myles Scott (Kyle) of Grand Junction, CO, Jacob Scott of New Braunfels, TX, Savannah Farley of Fort Worth, Ely Farley of Lubbock, sister-in-law Maxine Farley of Weimar, son-in-law Joey Scott of Hempstead, TX and one great grandson, A.J. Scott of Hearne, TX. He also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Derell was preceded in death by his parents, Avery Newman Sr. and Ruby (Franklin) Farley, brothers A.N. Farley, Jr., Lanny H. Farley, and Robert J. Farley, Sr, nephew David Farley and grandson Jade Quintana.

Services are entrusted to Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home and burial at Forest Park Lawndale. The visitation will be held Thursday Feb. 6th from 5-8 pm. The funeral service will be on Friday Feb. 7th at 12PM, with an internment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in their honor to https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving