Ronald Morris Farris

Mr. Ronald Morris Farris, 88, died peacefully in his sleep at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center early Tuesday morning, September 18, 2007, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM today from the High Street Chapel of Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home. Visitation will be after 10:00 AM today. Interment will follow the service in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Mr. Farris, known as Ron, was born April 5, 1919 in Brookhaven, Ms to Alexander Morris Farris and Mary Ethel Foster Farris. He moved to Jackson with his family at an early age. Mr. Farris received great enjoyment from traveling with his late wife. He also received pleasure from watching NASCAR and motorcycle racing.
Mr. Farris served his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed on board the USS Zaniah assigned to the Pacific Theatre. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Farris worked at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, and then moved to Jackson in 1948. Mr. Farris, along with his wife Opal, were among the earliest members of Alta Woods Baptist Church.
Mr. Farris was well-known in the mechanical contracting business. From 1958 until 1997, he was mechanical estimator and project manager for South Central Heating and Plumbing Company in Jackson. Mr. Farris retired at age 78 to become his wife's caregiver.
Mr. Farris was preceded in death by his beloved wife Opal Ezell Farris, who died in 2001, and infant son, Dennis Rand Farris, who died in 1953. Mr. Farris was the eldest of five children, three of whom have predeceased him. They are James Welton Farris, Margaret Evelyn Farris Trebotich, and Mary Elizabeth Farris Brown. Mr. Farris was the grandson of the late Thomas Jefferson Farris and Sarah Elizabeth Ophelia "Sallie" Smith of Union Church, Jefferson County, MS and of the late James Monroe Foster and Emma Olivia James of McBride, Jefferson County, MS.
Mr. Farris is survived three children, David Morris Farris (Mary Seymour) of Panama City, FL, Mike Farris of Terry, and Ronnie Margaret Farris McGinnis (Bill) of Jackson. He also survived by a sister, Katherine Jane Farris Berlin (Travis) of Ocean Springs, Ms. Mr. Farris also leaves four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38102.