John R. Farrell

FARRELL, JOHN R., died October 18, 2007, after a long illness. He was surrounded by his six children and other loved ones. John was born on March 17, 1929 in Memphis, Tennessee, the only son of Leslie and Esther Pearce Farrell. John and his beloved sisters, Coleta (Don) Newton of Birmingham, Alabama; Mary Leslie (William) Threadgill and Jacqueline (John) Harrington, all of Columbus, Mississippi, grew up in Meridian, Mississippi. John joined the Navy in 1948, a Lt. Commander, (never having time to pick up his Commander papers). He was a proud fighter pilot and flight instructor, and a member of one of the last groups of Navy Flying Midshipmen. John graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and began law school there, having flipped a coin between law school and medical school. After his first year at Ole Miss, he was accepted as one the rare transfer students into Yale Law School. He graduated with honors from Yale in 1958 and was immediately hired as a professor of law at the University of Florida. A gifted orator, with a photographic memory, his students still remember him as the "biggest boom in the south" with a voice that brought everyone to rapt attention as he threw open the doors of the lecture hall, teaching as he walked in. He was a member The Florida and Mississippi Bars, as well as the Federal Courts and Supreme Court of the United States, KA Fraternity, ODK, a Knight of Malta and the Kewanee Fishing Club. After UF he became President of the First National Bank of Lake City. When he came to Miami in the early 1960's he joined the prestigious firm of Frates Floyd & Pearson. He recalled Bill Frates handing him a file his first day saying "go try this case". John had never seen the inside of a courtroom in his life. Setting the pattern for his entire career as a lawyer, John took the assignment and went to work, never asking for help or assistance, winning the case the next day. He next joined the Dade County Attorney's Office when only eight assistant county attorneys served the entire county, under the direction of Thomas Britton. It was there he developed an abiding friendship with the Hon. Gerald T. Wetherington, a friendship that has lasted nearly fifty years. John and Jerry left the County and opened Wetherington & Farrell, P.A. After Jerry became a judge, John opened his own office on South Miami Avenue, the first attorney to leave the downtown area. He specialized in the field of eminent domain law and was preeminent throughout the state. He was a result oriented attorney and despised billable hours, fighting against them for years. He was a member of the first Judicial Nominating Committee for the Third District Court of Appeal. He opened his office and his mind to young attorneys who needed a place to get started. There are several prominent attorneys who can claim the honor of having been mentored by him. He worked closely with his most respected friend, Marion Sibley enjoying a warm, intellectual and enduring friendship. John was also deeply devoted to Rabbi Sholom Lipskar and their friendship endured the years as well. Rabbi Lipskar was by John's bedside moments after he died. Through the early 1980's, he continued to fly for the Navy, and taught as a adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law. He was also a licensed real estate agent. In 1988 John was asked to create the Civil General Magistrate Division of the 11th Judicial Circuit in an effort to help ease the burden of complex liti®M DNM¯gation matters handled by the courts. He was the only civil general magistrate in Florida for several years. Based on the success of the program, civil magistrate divisions have now been created throughout the state. He retired from the courts in 2005 having seen his last protégé, Pamela H. (Lovely) Lazar, become an attorney. They worked together in the courts during his last two years where he wanted a sign on the door that said "Two Lawyers, No Waiting." His sense of humor was boundless, his gift of speech the same. Everyone had a nickname. His legal scholarship so immense all manner of attorneys called to "pick his brain". His friends and associates gathered around him through the years to sit in rapt attention listening as he expounded on all manner of subjects. Even while he was ill, his devotees sought his guidance and knowledge, which he willingly shared. In addition to his sisters, John is survived by his six children, John Jr., of Lake City, Christopher of West Palm Beach, Jeffrey of Miami, Leslie Ann (Don) Ahrens of Gainesville, Mary Carol of Gainesville, Nancy of West Palm Beach, several grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and numerous devoted nieces and nephews. He was dubbed "Great St. John" by his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Leslie and Esther Farrell of Meridian, MS and one of his twin daughters, Janet Leah. A memorial mass is scheduled at St. Kieran's Catholic Church, 3605 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, Tuesday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m. A private family burial will be held in Meridian, Mississippi at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Catholic Charities or the Aleph Institute may be made in his name. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.