James Joseph Farrell was born in Memphis, TN. March 25, 1948, second child to James Joseph Farrell, Jr. and MaryAnne Frein Farrell of Brinkley, Arkansas. His siblings are Susan Farrell Stec, older sister, and Henry Joseph Farrell, younger brother. Growing up he was an avid duck hunter and caller. He was an amateur radio Ham operator. He developed an interest in science and developed a deep love for music. On weekends he worked at the family cotton gin and worked at maintaining the family cars. He graduated from Brinkley High School in 1966.
Jim majored in Business at Arkansas State University (’72) with a minor in Radio TV. In college he hosted a radio show, Dinner by Sunset for KASU. He was also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, business fraternity. Jim met Melissa Ann Kluge in college. His persistence and sweet disposition won Melissa over and they soon discovered they shared many interests, especially their love of music and dancing. Most weekends they could be found at a local dance or enjoying a concert. Jim married Melissa August 7, 1971. They were married over 51 years. The birth of their two daughters: Elisa Ann (1972) and Stacy Erin (1976) completed their close-knit family. This little family became very close to Melissa’s family, Jim’s large Catholic family, and their many friends.
Jim’s first job out of college was with Commercial Credit in Cleveland, Tennessee. There he became a member of the Optimist Club and coached a basketball team (7–8-year-olds) at the Cleveland Boy’s Club. He took a group of boys from different backgrounds and turned them into champions by showing them how to play as a team. In 1973 the family moved to Pascagoula, Ms. to work for Farrell Construction, a family business. Jim ran the office on that job and learned construction from the ground up starting with surveying. In Pascagoula they bought their first house and a ’68 Triumph TR250 convertible for weekend trips along the Gulf coast. They joined the Sports Car Club of America when he was moved to the main office of Farrell Construction (’74) in Memphis, TN. and began rallying and autocrossing. Jim decided if he was going to stay in the construction business, he needed to earn an Engineering degree. Jim worked days at the office and studied Civil Engineering at Memphis State University (MU) at night. After graduation (’79) Farrell Construction sent him to the Houston office to work on various projects in the Petro-Chemical field along the Ship Channel. During this time period he became proficient in estimating and purchasing. In Houston the Farrells joined the national Vintage Triumph Register and the local Texas Triumph Register. Together Jim and Melissa rebuilt a ’63 TR3B, ’69 Spitfire and a ’71 Triumph Stag. There would be several Stags to follow. Jim would build the cars and Melissa would drive them in autocrosses. Autocross had to take a back seat when the girls began playing soccer. Jim became President of the Klein Forest Soccer Boosters (1988-1994) when the girls played on the varsity high school team. For eight years Jim never missed a game.
In ’85 Jim and his brother, Henry, decided to start up their own business, Shamrock Farrell, specializing in maintenance and piping work in the Petro-Chemical plants and later added the maintenance for the Houston Medical Center. His employees became his extended family. On weekends his employees would gather to play volleyball, cook out, and spend time together at the beach. During this period of his life, he became a volunteer for several business associations. He worked on the Houston Business Roundtable Safety Committee 1988-1990. When Jim became president of Associated Builders and Contractors (Houston) in ’94 and ’95 he started CMEF (a training program for area high school students), established a training facility partnering with A&M, and worked as an ABC Pack lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Jim served on the board of ABC ’91-93. He was President of ABC Texas in ‘93 when he organized a group of associations to fight broad-form indemnification requirements. This protected owners from frivolous lawsuits. He also established a communication network to alert members of legislation detrimental to the industry and fought to block them.
Jim was elected to serve on the HBR/ABC Safety Council Start-Up Committee which led to the opening of the Houston Area Safety Council in ’90. Safety, always a concern for him, became his mission. Through the years he has served on the Board, Finance, Personal Recruiting and Safety Program Committees. The now Health And Safety Council currently provides training and occupational health services to more than 1,500 people daily worldwide and serves over 3,000 members and 12,000 non-member companies with global industry safety solutions.
In November of 2019 Jim was diagnosed with MDS, a form of leukemia. During his illness the people at MD Anderson the Woodlands became his new extended family. He appreciated their expertise and gentle care. Each one, from the door greeters, security guards, the receptionists, phlebotomists, nurses, Nurse Practioners, Physicians Assistants, and everyone else in the building, became his closest friends. He put up a valiant fight but lost his battle with cancer February 7th of 2023. Throughout his life he was committed to safety and helping people achieve their goals. He was most proud of his family and his work with the Safety Council. Jim wanted every worker in the industry to be safe and to be able to go home every night to their families. His spirit will live on through those who knew him best.
A reception/visitation for James will be held Sunday, February 12, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Park - The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. A prayer service will occur Sunday, February 12, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384.
A funeral service will occur Monday, February 13, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic, 19222 Tx-249, Houston, TX 77070. A committal service will occur Monday, February 13, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. A reception will occur Monday, February 13, 2023, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Farrell family.
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