Fred D. Farris

Fred lived a long and good life.

A memorial service celebrating his memory will be at John Knox Presbyterian Kirk Church, 11430 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Visitation starting at Noon with the celebration at 1pm.  A reception will follow the celebration.

Fred lived for 100 years believing in the power of faith, thankful for a good family, a healthy lucky life with a great sense of humor. He never viewed hardship as a hindrance.

Fred grew up in St. Louis. A veteran, Fred served as a sergeant in World War II in the 86^th Infantry Division earning two Bronze Battle Stars for action in both Europe and the Philippine Islands. In 1949 he graduated from Westminster College, Fulton, MO where he was elected President of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

He moved to Kansas City to work for the Kansas City Star. He founded and was Chairman of Galvin / Farris / Ross Advertising Agency, which helped market client products worldwide.

He was a founding member of the John Knox Presbyterian Kirk Church and served in various roles including Elder. He also served as President of the Kansas City Chapter of American Marketing Association and as a Board member of the Kansas City Advertising and Sales Association. He was an active member of Friends of the Zoo. An accomplished writer, he created and published two books of fiction along with a memoir that appeared in several literary magazines nationwide.

Fred was married for 70 years to Joann. He is survived by three children - Alan Farris (Dee Ann), James Farris (Deanna) and the Reverend Nancy Farris Gillard. He has eight grandchildren - AJ Farris (Amanda), Noelle Nauss (Don), Bradley Farris (Sofia), Catherine Solari (Mike), Nathan Farris (Betsy), Barbara Gillard, Austin Gillard (Brianna) and Claire Farris Gillard. He has eight great grandchildren - Riley and Weston Farris, Madeline and Grey Nauss, Frederick (Freddy) and Theodore (Teddy) Farris, Josephine and Jed Solari.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the John Knox Presbyterian Kirk Church at the address shown above.