Richard Vernon “Dickie” Farrell of Murray, Kentucky died on May 2, 2020 at Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray. Richard was born on May 26, 1944 in Oak Park, Illinois to Beatrice Alexander Farrell and Richard William “Doc” Farrell. He is survived by his sister, Kathy Farrell Straub and her daughter, Sara, both of Sun City Center, Florida, as well as his daughters, Meg Farrell, currently of Munich, Germany, and Kate Farrell of Murray, and his wife Jacqueline.
“Dickie” was a 1962 graduate of Murray High School. He was very proud to play for the Tiger football team (#44) that won the Kentucky State Championship in 1961. Dickie went on to attend Murray State University majoring in chemistry and history. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
In 1966, he enlisted in the Navy and served from ’66 to 1970 aboard the USS America, an aircraft carrier deployed to the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam conflict. For his naval commitment, he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Upon his return from his naval tour, Richard re-enrolled in MSU and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Education and went on to obtain his Master’s degree with an emphasis in Elementary Education in 1974. He later furthered his education by achieving his Rank I status in Administration and Supervision at MSU.
After graduation, Richard began his teaching career that year at Murray Middle School where he taught 8th grade history for 8 years, then 6th grade math for the next 20 years. He was passionate about teaching and was expressly considered a favorite among many of his students over the years. He was well known for his easy rapport with his students and entertaining approach in the classroom. Many former students will recall his uncanny ability to come up with nicknames, his whimsical foreign accents or Muppet impressions, and his method of making math accessible and engaging through his Stock Market game.
Richard also shared his knowledge and love of football by serving as an assistant football coach for both the middle and high school teams. Richard served as the vice president and president of the Murray Education Association (MEA) from 1989 to 1991, helping to bring about scholastic improvements from the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Other significant contributions made to the Murray City Schools included: weightlifting coach, MS little league football coordinator, track coach, MMS scholastic team sponsor, site-based council member, and one of his favorite jobs, keeping the game clock for Murray High home football games.
After his retirement from MMS in 2002, Richard passed on his passion for teaching by instructing a dual-credit course at MSU for high school juniors and seniors interested in becoming teachers. Within the community, Richard was extremely proud to become a member of the Murray Rotary Club in 2006. He also honored his fellow veterans and their shared military service by joining the Murray VFW (Post 6291) serving as a trustee and member of the honor guard. He was a lifetime active member of the Murray First United Methodist Church and participated in several international medical mission trips to both Honduras and Nicaragua. This experience inspired him to sponsor a child and her family in Honduras for over a decade.
Among Dickie’s favorite pastimes, cruising Kentucky Lake in his boat with his family was a cherished highlight. He was also an avid sports fan and loved anything Murray State and UK, Cardinals and Cubs baseball, as well as NCAA and professional football.
Richard Farrell will be remembered for his charming wit, his investment in his daughters’ lives and education, and his pride as a lifelong member within the Murray community. He was a loving father and brother, a devoted teacher, an inspiring coach, a strong member of his church, and a proud and honorable veteran of the Vietnam War.
At this time, due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a graveside service with full military honors for family members only. At a later date, a celebration of his life will be held at the Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home in Murray so that he can be honored by his family, friends, former students and colleagues, and members of the Murray community. This date will be announced in the Murray Ledger & Times and on the Imes Funeral Home website.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Richard V. Farrell by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and special memories.
In lieu of flowers, Richard wished for expressions of sympathy to be made in the form of a memorial gift to one of the following foundations that were close to his heart:
• The Richard W. “Doc” Farrell Scholarship Fund for Music within the Murray State University Foundation: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1165/lightning20/form.aspx?sid=1165&gid=1&pgid=2020&cid=5414
o Designate the scholarship fund by selecting “Other”, search “Farrell”, select “Farrell, Richard W. ‘Doc’ Schol.”
o Or by mail, make checks payable to the Murray State University Foundation, with the name of the scholarship designated thereunder and mailed to: Murray State University Office of Development, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071
• First United Methodist Church of Murray (Music Fund, International Missions, Caring Friends Ministry Team): https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Fi1giPL8kwX_Oe1AO50jRv_-PGdWZCdsMtgy8-orucChjXsUKRLlmI4vCU4-rZZZ2EvVVAEjqawDomKT1pbouXuKZjjBvguc3p8GslKMfGk=&ver=3
• Murray Schools Foundation of Excellence: https://www.murrayfoundation.net/donations.htm
• USS America Carrier Veterans Association (CVA Scholarship Fund): https://www.ussamerica.org/CVA-Donation
• VFW (Post 6291): https://heroes.vfw.org/page/23487/donate/1?locale=en-US
The Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home is entrusted with caring for the family of Coach Dickie Farrell.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Richard Vernon Farrell, please visit our Tribute Store.