Ryan Joseph Farley

Ryan never missed the opportunity to enjoy the sun as it set below the horizon of Galveston Bay; “It’s sunset time” he would bellow from behind the cracked open sliding glass door, questioning those that found any task more important than viewing the colorful display. A sunset was Ryan’s screen saver, and it was his second most texted picture, aside from pictures of Andy. From the golf cart, behind the captain’s chair of “The Big Whale” or from his back yard overlooking Cleveland Lake and the old Imperial Sugar Mill, Ryan loved the setting sun.

On July 16, 2020, Ryan Joseph Farley became ever closer to the heavens and entered the arms of the Lord where he no longer feels the struggle and pain of illness and he is reunited with his dad, grandparents, family and friends who have gone before him.

Ryan was born on March 3, 1974 in Midland, Texas to Roger and Renice Farley. Ryan, always a boy, loved anything that made noise, had an engine, mechanics or that could be taken apart. Like his dad, this natural affinity for “fixing” things would serve him well. Building go-karts and small engines as a boy led him to restoring a 1978 Ford Bronco (aka “Blue”) as a teen. So impressive was his work, he was included in the parade prior to the Monster Truck show in the Astrodome one year. He later restored a 1977 Ford Bronco (aka “OJ”). Ryan made a career out of “wrenching” as he used to say and most every friend and family member was a beneficiary of his knowledge and expertise. He had been known to diagnose a car’s problem over the phone, just by hearing it start and the engine rev.

Ryan loved adventure and nature. He loved road trips and camping; whether it was a trip to Angel Fire or Bolivar, it was special. He could stop a boat on a dime, even on the choppiest of seas. He was a purist, yet a bit of a maverick. He paid attention to every detail but did not let it get in the way of fun. Ryan loved to cook and could make the most amazing redfish and homemade bread. He loved documentaries and music, fishing and tinkering. He loved spicy food and Sriracha hot sauce. Ryan could “dine with the queen” but was most comfortable in his fishing shirt. He loved the family Bay house and the trips to the mountains. He loved Ford Motor Co., Diet Pepsi and his dog Sissy. Ryan was an entrepreneur at heart and had a mind for invention; he was a dreamer and a realist. When he was super pleased, it was “stellar”, and he ended nighttime texts and calls with “Sleep with the Angels”. Ryan loved his family, his friends and God.

No greater love than was that of his love for his son Andrew Joseph Farley. June 26, 2007 Ryan became a dad to Andy; his most cherished title. “AJ” as Ryan would sometimes call him, was the light of Ryan’s life; they had such fun and Ryan treasured every moment. Legos and RC cars that they built together, peppered Ryan’s bookshelves. Ryan’s signature smile and twinkling eyes radiated with the recounting of every band concert, achievement, or Karate class of Andy’s. Ryan loved school projects (well, he loved Andy’s school projects)! Cardboard boxes became sculptures, pieces of scrap wood and gears became motorized; retired satellite dishes became shields and were as beautiful as they were functional.

Ryan was so proud of Andy. Ryan never passed up a teachable moment. Just as Ryan had learned from his dad, Andy learned from Ryan. Ryan never missed an opportunity, whether it was calculating MPG and cost calculations for a road trip or how to properly retire the American flag. Andy was a star pupil and the most loving son a father could ever ask for.

Ryan is survived by his son, Andrew Joseph Farley; mother, Renice Kunzman Farley; sister, Ruey Farley Garvis and husband, Matthew; nephews Ben Garvis, Kyle Garvis and niece Madeline Garvis Smith and husband Jerred and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ryan also leaves behind his former wife and mother to Andy, Jen Clement-Gruller and family, her husband Kenneth and Kenneth’s children, Kyle and Courtney; special friend Leslie Leber, her son Erick and many, many dear friends that can recount all the good that was Ryan’s life.

Ryan is preceded in death by his loving father Roger Farley. The solace in knowing that they are together again helps temper the pain of their passing. We find peace in knowing that they are both enjoying the fruits of their labor, in the loving arms of our Lord and quite possibly adding an extra color here and there to each sunset. On cloudy days where we miss the colorful display, maybe a tinkering project has run a little long or they’ve simply “gone fishing”.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 from six to eight o’clock p.m. with a praying of the rosary starting at seven o’clock p.m. at Earthman Funeral Directors at Hunters Creek. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 at St. Michael the Archangel on Sage Road at ten o’clock a.m. Please note that masks will be required, and social distancing procedures will be in place for both the visitation and funeral. We ask those attending the funeral Mass be mindful to arrive in time for temperature checks and the doors will be closed promptly at 1o a.m.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Ryan’s memory to Coastal Conservation Association: CCA Texas, 6919 Portwest Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024; https://ccatexas.org/donate/ or charity of your choice.