Richard W. Farris

Richard W. Farris, 91, of Oswego, passed away at 4:16 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Oswego Health and Rehab.

He was born on January 3, 1930, to Frank R. and Ora Alice (Boston) Farris in Hallowell.  When Richard was six, he moved with his family to Oswego, where he grew up and attended school.  After graduating from Oswego High School, Richard spent his life working, owning businesses and being involved in the Oswego area.

Besides farming his entire life, Richard owned and operated Oswego Implement; was a director at Westside Homes; owned and operated Farris Insurance Agency; worked at American State Bank and Supreme Trailer Manufacturing and was a contractor building homes.  For the last 13 years before his retirement, Richard found another job he truly enjoyed, driving a school bus.

He was a member of the Oswego United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board for a number of years.  Richard was very involved in the Oswego community in the following: U.S.D 504 School Board, serving as president for 11 years; Oswego Fire Department from 1965 to 1986, serving as Fire Chief for some of that time; Civil Defense Director; Oswego City Council member; Oswego Rotary; Oswego Museum Board; Oswego Genealogy Society; Labette County Fair Board; and helped with the Avenue of Flags.  Besides being involved with his community, Richard's greatest joy came from spending time with his family.  He also enjoyed flying, collecting antique tractors, going to auctions, studying genealogy and playing dominoes.

On August 22, 1948, Richard and Mary Nell Shelly were united in marriage at the Oswego United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on July 7, 2013.

Survivors include:

Three sons – John Farris and his wife, Kristen, of Grove, Oklahoma

William Farris and his wife, Theresa, of Oswego, Kansas

Mark Farris and his wife, Terri, of Austin, Texas

Two daughters – Nancy Castle and her husband, Dan, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Deborah Brooks of Wichita, Kansas

Seventeen grandchildren

Forty-four great-grandchildren

Ten great-great grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; and two brothers.

The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the Oswego United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Columbus.  The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the church.  The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page.  For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to the Oswego Fire Department.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.