James J. Farnsworth

FARNSWORTH, JAMES J. (JIM) Was born in Okeene, Oklahoma, December 28, 1924. Attended school in Leoti, KS, moved to Ringwood, OK in 1941. Met his future wife Elizabeth (Betty) McCreary at Ringwood, High School, where Jim graduated in 1942. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to January 1946 serving in the South Pacific Theater from New Guinea to the Philippines. Jim and Betty married February 8, 1946 and lived in Enid, OK and both graduated from Phillips University. The young couple moved to Oklahoma City in 1948. In 1951 they moved to St. Louis, MO for Jim to attend Washington University where he received his Masters in Hospital Administration in 1953. Jim and Betty moved to Dallas, TX for Jim to become a Hospital Administration Resident at Baylor University Medical Center. When his residency was complete, he continued employment with Baylor as an Assistant Hospital Administrator until he became the President of Childrens Medical Center in October 1954. Jim continued as President of Childrens Medical Center until 1990 and during that time period brought together several smaller hospitals to create the Childrens Medical Center that exists today adjacent to Southwestern Medical School and Parkland Memorial Hospital. Jim served the field of hospital administration in many ways including being widely recognized for Health Care Contributions with these awards: Earl M Collier Award from the Texas Hospital Association, Boone Powell Award from the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, Martin Luther King Award from the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance, Childrens Medical Center Distinguished Service Award. Jim has served in many organizations including: Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, Texas Hospital Association as Board Chairman, Governor and Fellow of the American College of Health Executives, American Hospital Association, North Central Texas Health Planning Council, Dallas Independent School District Health Career Magnet Schools, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Lions International Club, Society to Prevent Blindness, Presbyterian Childrens Home & Service Agency, Dallas County League of Municipalities, United Way, Texas Civil Justice League, Clinical Professor of Environmental and Community Health at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. Jim was a member of the Park Cities Club and Key Allegro Yacht Club; Member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder, member of multiple committees and an usher. He is also a Retired President and CEO Childrens Health Service of Texas (Foundation of Childrens Medical Center). Jim is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Minnie Farnsworth, sister Lucille Hahn and brother Louis Farnsworth, and survived by his lovely wife of 62 years and the love of his life, Betty Farnsworth, his children and their spouses respectively Jim and Becky Farnsworth, Nancy and Gregg Long, and grandchildren Christine and Kimberly Long, and Zachary and Jackson Farnsworth. Jim is survived by his brothers Robert and Darrel Farnsworth, nephews Jerry and Jim Hahn, Larry and Eddie Farnsworth, Gerald and Ricky Farnsworth, Tabitha, Doug and Kenneth Farnsworth and their spouses and children. Jim loved to hunt, fish, boat, and travel and enjoyed all the Grandchildrens activities. Visitation will be from 6:00 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be at 4:00 PM on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230. Memorials may be made to the James J. Farnsworth Health Careers Scholarship at Childrens Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Medical District Drive, Dallas, TX 75235 or the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund. Restland 972-238-7111 restlandfuneralhome.com