David Rolland Fargo

The Reverend David Rolland Fargo, 79, of Asheville, NC, departed this earthly life on Friday, May 23, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. David was born on July 28, 1945 in Memphis, TN to Robert Rolland Fargo and Mary Ann Fargo. Following his graduation from White Station High School, David attended Vanderbilt University, where he fell in love with a nursing student, Sally Sue Blood. Their first date–falling on the day of President John F. Kennedy's assassination–might have seemed inauspicious, but in truth, it was the start of what would become a 61-year romance, 57 as husband and wife. During his time at Vanderbilt, David found himself called to ministry. He attended General Theological Seminary in New York City, before returning to Tennessee where was ordained to the Priesthood on March 28, 1971 at St. Stephen's Church, in Oak Ridge. Just one week later, Sally gave birth to the first son, as well as his first Dad Joke: David became a Father and a Daddy just one week apart. David later served at both St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC, where they were blessed with a second son, Jason, in 1972. A few years later, he moved to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC before being called to the longest, and most fruitful, position in his career as a minister in the Episcopal Church. In 1982, David was appointed the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, in Slidell, Louisiana – a position he held until his retirement in 2000. The Fargo Family fully embraced life in Louisiana, and David came into his own as a leader of his own congregation–welcoming a generation of Episcopalians into the body of Christ. Following their retirement in 2000, David and Sally returned to North Carolina, where they both embraced the mountain life, and the creative life, with the same passion that they embraced their work during those years in Slidell. Sally became a master quilter, and David built his dream workshop, where he was able to fully embrace his love of woodworking. In short order, David became a wood turner of quite breathtaking ability. Their mountain home was graced (or, more accurately, presided over) by their beloved Border Collie, Brecon, to whom he referred as his "life dog." David leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Sally Blood Fargo, his two sons, Geoffrey David Fargo of Olive Branch, MS, and Jason Marcus Fargo of Portland OR, and four grandchildren: Ashe, Miranda, Levon, and Whelan Fargo. David is mourned by his sister, Barbara Dawson, of Germantown, TN. The Fargo Family is grateful for the abundant outpouring of support they have received from friends, neighbors, and Episcopalians everywhere, who all loved "Father Fargo." The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community and Four Seasons Hospice, who ensured that David passed on to his next life peacefully, with minimal pain. The family will be celebrating his life in a small private service. Per David's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Memorial Fund of the Cathedral of All Souls (https://allsoulscathedral.org/gifts-memorials), or to Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community (https://deerfieldwnc.org/donate), both in Asheville, NC. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Rolland Fargo, please visit our floral store.