Melford William Faris

Melford served in the U.S. Air Force 1950-1954, starting a career at McKesson in Spokane, WA. He moved to Yakima in 1956, and retired in 1974. He worked evenings for Barton’s and played music on the weekends. His dreams of being a country music star were second to his desire for a family, and family always came first.

He married his true love, Eleanor L. Gumm on November 13, 1955 in Farmington, WA during a blizzard, and they spent 59 years happily together.

Being an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and photography; he tied his own flies, reloaded his own rounds, felt at home in the wilderness of Alaska, and even found time to plant a garden each year. He was self taught on guitar at age 14 and played most of his life.

Survived by wife Eleanor, son Jeff (Brenda), daughters Melanie (Nick) Lopez, and Loana Sterling, 4 grandkids, 6 great grandkids, and brother Max (Margy). Predeceased by his parents, 6 brothers, and 2 sisters.

In place of flowers please make donations to any Memory Care charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Melford's life will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Thursday, January 29, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

To share a memory of Melford, please visit www.keithandkeith.com