Gene Farley

Eugene Patrick Farley Jr.

“Dad,” “Papa,” & “Butch”

April 3, 1949 – June 9, 2026

Eugene Patrick Farley Jr., lovingly known as "Dad" and “Papa” to his family and "Butch" to those who knew him from his younger years, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, in Buckeye, AZ, at the age of 77.

Born on April 3, 1949, in Los Angeles, CA, Eugene was the beloved son of the late Eugene Patrick Farley Sr. and Dorothy Maxine Craig. To his parents and sisters, he would always be Butch, a brother whose presence brought love, laughter, and countless memories.

Papa was a lifelong truck driver who truly loved the open road. Driving was more than a career to him; it was a passion and a way of life. He found joy in the freedom of traveling, discovering new places, and embracing the adventures that each mile brought. He had a deep love for history, a fascination with classic cars, and an appreciation for the stories behind people and places. A phenomenal storyteller, Papa had a gift for captivating those around him with memories, humor, and adventures from his life. He could make you laugh, transport you to another time, and leave you hanging on every word.

Above all else, Papa loved his family. Family time meant everything to him. He cherished every moment spent with those he loved and took great pride in being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His greatest joy came not from material things, but from the people gathered around his table, sharing meals, laughter, and precious memories together.

One of the greatest loves of Papa's life is Elizabeth "Betty" Di Prete Farley. Their story began in 1965 when they met their sophomore year in High School. Like many great love stories, theirs was not a straight path. Over the years, life took them in different directions, and they spent periods of time apart, yet their bond never truly faded. In 1992, they found their way back to one another and chose to begin again. On February 14, 1993, Eugene and Betty were married, making their love story official in a way that perfectly reflected the love they shared. They spent the next 33 years side by side, building a life filled with laughter, companionship, and unwavering devotion. Their story was one of resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and an enduring love that proved some hearts are simply meant to find their way back to each other.

Papa is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Di Prete Farley; his sisters, Caren Farley Labros of Long Beach, CA, and Shannon Farley Schonland of Monrovia, CA; his daughters, Eugenia Hepburn of San Diego, CA; Angela and Christina Murrietta of Buckeye, AZ; and Sandi Oliveras of OR.

He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Morgana Hepburn of San Diego, CA; Patrick Murrietta of Buckeye, AZ; Anthony Meek of Colorado Springs, CO; Tatum Strong of Buckeye, AZ; and Kaitlyn Teats of Buckeye, AZ; Evan Lopez of Buckeye, AZ.

Papa was additionally blessed with great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life: Florence and Alessia Murrietta; Nevaeh "Netaya" Murrietta, as Papa lovingly called her; and Iris and Serenity Meek.

Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we find comfort in knowing that Papa's love, wisdom, laughter, and stories will live on through the family he cherished. We will remember him every time we hear a good story, see a classic car, travel down an open highway, or gather around the table with the people we love, smiling when our dinner gets cold because we know Papa would have had something to say about it. We will miss the little things that made him uniquely Papa, especially his funny sounds, from his grunts and hums to his playful growls and the crinkle of his nose. Those familiar sounds and expressions that made Papa so uniquely himself will echo in our hearts forever.

The road may have ended here, but for Papa, the journey and the memories he created will continue forever in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 South Litchfield Road, Goodyear, Arizona on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 4:30 pm.