Dr. Charles Farnsworth

Dr. Charles Farnsworth, 57, of Bryan, passed away peacefully Sept. 3, 2011, in his home after a very short battle with cancer. His Celebration of Life Ceremony will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Barak, in Bryan. His family will receive guests during visitation 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the funeral home. Hillier Funeral Home is entrusted to his care. Interment will be in the College Station City Cemetery.

Charles Farnsworth was born Feb. 6, 1954, in Waco, Texas, to Robert and Thelma Aldridge Farnsworth. He graduated from Waco High School although the family moved extensively including Japan, Germany, Goose Bay Labrador and Nebraska. After high school he spent one semester at Brigham Young University prior to serving a two year mission to Hong Kong. He did not return to BYU after his mission, but transferred to Texas A&M University. In fact, he and his new bride arrived at TAMU in April of 1976. Charles received three degrees here - BA in Biology in 1978, ME in Educational Technology in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction in 1996. Upon completing his masters, Charles was offered a job in the College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked there from 1991 until 2008. In 2008 he secured his dream job working as a clinical assistant professor in the Dept. of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development.

In addition to academia, Charles spent from 1982 to 1991 as the owner of one of the first video rental stores in the Bryan/College Station area called Movies to GO.

Charles married his sweet heart, Judy Lynn Patterson, Dec. 30, 1975 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they raised four children, Patrick, Michael, Meredith and Mary Kathryn. The love of Charles' life was his family - wife, children and grandchildren. It didn't matter which activities the children were involved in whether it was soccer, Boy Scouts, swimming, baseball, horseback riding, choir, band, tennis, or gymnastics, he was a part. This enthusiasm continued to his five grandchildren; he never missed an opportunity to spend time with them, watching a movie, swinging, coloring, reading a book or just snuggling. In short he was devoted to family.

He was a fun-loving person. Anyone that knew him for any length of time knew that he had a corny sense of humor, had a loud noticeable laugh, loved to sing and had a strong faith in Jesus Christ which he loved to share. These things and countless others will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Dr. Farnsworth is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Thelma Farnsworth.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy Farnsworth; his children, Patrick Farnsworth and wife, Amber, of College Station, Michael Farnsworth and wife, Heidi, of Monroe, Wash., Meredith Murdock and husband, Bryan, of Bryan, and Mary Kathryn Farnsworth of Bryan; his grandchildren, Esther Farnsworth, Michael Farnsworth, Benjamin Farnsworth, Davanee Murdock, Lyla Farnsworth; his sister, Alma Elizabeth Farnsworth; his brother, Steve Farnsworth and wife, Terry.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:
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Hillier Funeral Home, 979-822-1571

February 6, 1954 - September 3, 2011

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