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Jimmy Farley Obituary

Jimmy W. Farley, M.D., of Roanoke, passed away Monday, December 8, 2008 after battling cancer for twenty-two months. He was born April 7, 1931, in Herndon W.Va. and is the son of the late Jay Ward Farley, Sr. and Laura Blankenship Farley. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Betty Farley, of Bluefield, Virginia; and sister, Pauline F. Payne, of Roanoke, Virginia; a special friend, Diana Thomason, of Salem, Virginia; and many friends and his cat, Mister Bojangles. He grew up in Bluefield, W.Va., graduating from Beaver High School and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia and specialized as an ophthalmologist at the McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He practiced ophthalmology in Roanoke and Christiansburg, Virginia from October 1964 until January 2007. He and Dr. Ronald W. Dillon organized the Crippled Children's Eye Clinic in 1969 and co-directed it until 1976. Dr. Farley is an active member in the Lakeland Masonic Lodge # 190 and the Kazim Shrine Temple in Roanoke, Virginia. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton. Burial will follow in the Monte Vista Park Cemetery, in Green Valley. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12 noon until the service hour at the funeral home. Family and friends may share online condolence via www.memorialfd.com. Friends of the family will serve as pallbearers. The Farley family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.

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Published by Roanoke Times on Dec. 9, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Jimmy Farley

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Mack Farmer

December 26, 2008

December 26, 2008,
Dr. Farley had been our doctor since 1964-2005. He was also a treasured friend of the entire Farmer family. He will be missed more than words can express.

Daniel Thompson

December 22, 2008

To the family and friends of Dr.Jim,
We will truly miss him and we know that he is in a far far better place now with all those who have gone before him. He was a wonderful person and alway so full of life. Our family had known him for along time and now he is at rest along with Blaine and Edith. Take care and we love you, The Thompson family

Kay Justice

December 11, 2008

Dear Jerry,
I remember visiting with you at your Mother's home in Bluefield many years ago. Jim and I worked together in the OR at RMH and became close during that time. We shared many good adventures, from going to New York in his old hearse to visiting with friends and family. He was very dear to me. Our last trip together was to Carlisle PA to attend an antique car flea market. That must have been about 30 years ago.
I was unaware of his illness. I am so sorry for your loss. Jim will always hold a special place in my heart.
Please tell your sister, Pauline, that I am originally from English WV.
I believe she married a man from either English or Bartley. I also remember meeting her son who was at that time in medical school at the University of Florida.
Kay Justice

Linda Wells

December 11, 2008

I remember Dr. Farley from years back when I worked in nursing, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but never really got to know him. But, 20 years ago I became involved in the CME Department and had the opportunity to get to know him. He would try to be the first physician at the meetings and sometimes he was there before the CME staff. At this time of the year he would bring me a list of eduational activities he had attended for the year to ensure his credits were complete. I will miss him and feel very privileged to have known him. He shared his trips he would take with Pauline and one only had to look at his face when he would speak of her to see the deep love he had for his sister. Ms. Payne you are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

Paula Robertson

December 10, 2008

Dr. Farley was such a good person!
I got to know him through Medical Grand Rounds. He was normally the first one there in the mornings. He was always eager to learn. We talked of music quite often as well. I will miss him very much. Rest in peace Dr. Farley.

Mike Henderson

December 10, 2008

Family and Friends of Dr. Farley: I am so sorry that Dr. Farley had to leave us, but I know that he is in a much better place. I will miss seeing him tinkering with his old cars. On the way home, I would often ride by and see the hood up on one his jewels, and the big smile on his face as he fixed yet another problem! He was a miracle worker in more ways than one! He was a wonderful neighbor and friend, and will be missed by many. Blessings to each of you.

George "Hooger" and Ginny Fisher

December 10, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Brother Michael Basham, 32nd. Degree

December 10, 2008

~ Rest Well My Brother And Pass On, ~

Tom and Vickie Warden

December 10, 2008

Jerry and Betty,
We are so saddened , as I know you are, to lose Jimmy. He was always part of our extended Family, even after he left Double Gates. We know there is a place in Heaven that has been ready for him, but we hate to see him go. He was an Angel here on earth. (I just wonder if he will teach the other Angels how to ride a bicycle backwards?)
Tom Warden and Vickie

Annie Sizemore-Martin

December 10, 2008

Dearest Jerry, Betty and Pauline..Know that our prayers are with you all during this hard time. Jimmy was special to all of us and will be sadly missed by us all. We all enjoyed his stories of the past when he shared his many memories with us. My husband Robert and Jimmy could talk about cars for hours on end. Jimmy and our daughter Elizabeth shared a special bond, and because of this she is going to be a doctor. We will carry special memories of him on our hearts. Jimmy was a caring soul and made a difference to so many people lives. He will be truely missed. When we last saw him, only a few short weeks ago, he was still telling his stories. We are all better for knowing him and I feel we all learned alot from him. I am just so sorry that Esabelle isn't old enough to remember Jimmy. But we will tell her about him so she knows.

LOVE The Martin's
Robert, Annie, Elizabeth, Emilee and Esabelle

Reggie and Nancy Webb

December 9, 2008

Jerry, Betty, Pauline and Diana,

We want to express our deepest sympathy concerning Jimmy's passing. He was a fine man with a great wit and time spent in his presence was always a genuine pleasure. We will treasure those memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We cannot be there in person to express our feelings but we want you to know we love you!

Dale Suiter

December 9, 2008

Jimmy
Thanks to your kindness and gentle heart, my childhood eye exams were a little less stressful. My family always enjoyed our trips to Roanoke to see you. And thanks for that ride to the Star on Mill Mountain in your convertible one night so many years ago.

Mike & Donna Burke

December 9, 2008

Jerry, Betty, Pauline and Diana:
We are deeply sorrowful for the loss of Jimmy. Although I had known him as my ophthalmologist for many years, it wasn't until we took a trip to the beach with him that we got to know what a character he could be. We'll never forget the enjoyment of getting to know Jimmy, Diana and the many family friends on that trip. Jimmy was truly one of a kind, and could talk intelligently on nearly any subject, from car repairs to kittens to investments to airplanes to medical matters. We will miss his warm smile and quick wit. May it be of some comfort that you are constantly in our thoughts during this time of sorrow. Although we have lost a wonderful friend and family member, Heaven has gained another saint.

Lawrence Alston

December 9, 2008

Dear Jerry and Betty,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Please know that we are thinking about you and wish we could be there to give you our love in person.

Love, Larry, Merle, and Sylvester

john deweese

December 9, 2008

DEAR FAMILY,
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF DR FARLEYS PASSING. HE WAS A WONDERFUL DOCTOR, AND A FINE GENTLEMAN. I WORKED WITH HIM
IN SURGERY AT LEWIS GALE HOSPITAL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU
JOHN DEWEESE

Eddie&Nancy Nicholson

December 9, 2008

Our sympathy to Jimmy's family and friends. Jimmy and Eddie go back to Mr. Easley's homeroom at Fairview Jr. High in 1945. His was our friend and trusted opthomologist for many years.

TONY BISHOP

December 9, 2008

DOC, WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH. YOUR OLD FRIEND TONY BISHOP. MY GOD BE WITH YOU.

Bonnie Sheetz

December 9, 2008

Dr.Farley I'm going to miss you,you always managed to bring laughter into my life.So thank you for being my friend.

Leslie Lambert

December 9, 2008

Pauline and Jerry:

I loved Jim and will miss his gentle kindness and sweet wit. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers during this sad time. Please let me know what I can do to be helpful. Jim made a great difference in the world; his goodness will live on and will not be forgotten.

Grace Justice

December 9, 2008

Thank you, Dr. Farley, on behalf of all America for your dedication, sacrifice, and service in keeping our country safe, strong, and free. God bless your family and God Bless America.

Nell Cooke-Gust

December 9, 2008

Jimmy will be forever missed and appreciated.

Judy Gibson

December 9, 2008

Dear Jerry and Betty, I am so very sorry about the loss of your brother. I know how much you cared for him. I'm sorry that I can't be there with you, but please know that you and your family will be in my prayers. God bless you.

Loretta (Hash) Hill

December 9, 2008

Jerry & Betty: Our family's prayers and thoughts are with you. Our Mom, Myrtle Hash passed away Thursday, Dec 4 and when she heard of Jimmy's illness several weeks ago she was so saddened. Our neighborhood is ever changing with the loss of our loved ones. Our hearts are with you and your family.

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