Rev. Ronald R. Farah

Reverend Ronald Ruda Farah was born on February 8, 1938, in Flint, Michigan to Julia and George Farah and was baptized in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Ron experienced a significant life change at age three when his father passed away suddenly. Following this loss, his family moved to Akron, Ohio where his mother assisted in helping out at the family grocery store.
Despite his Orthodox background, Ron and his sister attended a local Lutheran Sunday School, where he developed a love for reading Bible stories. At age 10, he, his mother, and sister moved to Detroit to live with his Aunt Sarah Azzam and her family. There, he was enrolled in Peace Lutheran Church School on Detroit's East Side and was later confirmed. It was during this time that he says he first truly heard the Gospel and "fell in love with it," feeling an immediate calling to become a Lutheran pastor.
He pursued this calling through his education attending Detroit Lutheran High School (1952-1955), Concordia Junior and Senior College (1955-1959) in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri (1959-1963), where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Later, in 1979 he received a Master of Psychology in Marriage and Family Counseling from The University of Detroit.
In 1962 he was married to Talitha Scherer and they shared nearly 63 years of marriage.
He faithfully served congregations in several locations: Christ Lutheran in Rochester, MN and Our Savior Lutheran in Eyota, MN 1963-1966); Zion Lutheran in Tawas City, MI (1966-1969); Our Shepherd Lutheran in Birmingham, MI (1969-1979); and Ascension of Christ Lutheran in Beverly Hills, MI (1982-1999). After retirement from full time ministry, he served for eight years as Assistant to the Bishop of the English District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and received an Honorary Doctorate. For the past five years he served The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Birmingham, MI, leading Bible classes and providing pastoral counseling.
He had a deep love for ministry and people. He found joy in preaching, teaching, and sharing his faith – often handing out small yard crosses as a symbol of witness. His many passions included singing, playing bridge and golf, delivering presentation on various topics and diving deeply into Scripture to teach Bible classes. He had a gift for conversation and could engage with others for hours.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister June, his sister Joyce Naimy Loria, and three half siblings: George Farah, Lily Bodine and Evelyn Stanley. He is survived by his loving wife Talitha; five children - Andrew (Michele), Timothy, Christoper (Kristin), Kristen, and Erin (Louis) Campbell; nine grandchildren, Beth (Kye), Joel (Mallory), Christian, Kyla, Will, Annika, Ian, Joe and Gabriel; and four great grandchildren Hadley, Natalie, Barrett, and Quinn. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple, Birmingham, Friday, April 25th, 2025, 4-8pm. The Funeral Service will take place the following morning, Saturday, April 26th, at 11am. Friends may visit at church beginning at 10am. A reception will follow at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2225 W. 14 Mile Road, Birmingham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations appreciated to Lutheran High Association or Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.