John Leo Farris Jr.

John Leo Farris, Jr, age 72, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday morning ~ May 18, 2020 from the CaroMont Regional Medical Center. John was an active member of St. Michaels Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus - St. Michael Catholic Church.

John was an avid kayak fisherman, volunteer firefighter who also studied martial arts and was a triple black belt and instructor and he loved bluegrass music playing his fiddle. John was a lifeguard in his younger days. His curiosity led him into the world of magic and he entertained his family and friends with magic tricks. He also was an English professor, scholar, real estate mogul, husband and the best father.

His son John Michael described his dad as "Everything I do I do because of you. I owe every bit of the man I am today to you kicking my tail. I'll take it from here big guy and keep doing my best to make you proud". #mostinterestingmanintheworld

He was a Certified Financial Planner and received his degree from the College of Financial Planning in 1981 in Denver, Colorado and a stock broker. John graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Master of Arts in 1971 from Appalachian State University.

John was a production Supervisor for Wix Corporation in Gastonia and his experience was an in line production supervision and supervision of offices. He was involved in gathering raw production data for developing and maintaining production research reports as well as forwarding research data to top management for executive decisions.

He was the director of Procurement, Edgecombe General Hospital, Tarboro, North Carolina 1976 – 1977. John directed all purchasing, contracting for hospital equipment and services along with Managing material storage, flow, distribution and inventory. He also revised specification and negotiated prices. He was an adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Division of Allied Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 1976. In addition, he Insured coordination between University allied health educational programs and those directed in the Northeastern portion of North Carolina.

To add, John was a member of the North Carolina Area Health State-Wide taskforce for program development and Evaluation. 1975 -1976. He planned and implemented evaluation methods for statewide administration of Medical Educational programs. As well as consulting for taskforce in logistical problems 1975 -1976.

John was the Assistant Director of Allied Health. Health Education Foundation, (North Carolina State Area Health Education Foundation) Edgecombe General Hospital Tarboro, North Carolina. This included planning Implementing and administrating a program of a five-county region of North Carolina

1974 - 1976.

He was a supervisor of Medical Material Warehousing, Gaston Memorial Hospital of Gastonia North Carolina. There he directed activities of warehousing personnel. In the receiving, inventory, distribution and record keeping for warehouse material 1973 -1974.

John also held the position of Director of Medical Material Management/Procurement in United States Army Medical Service Corps. He planned and administered all logistical functions for using units. This included supervision and supply system, and responsibility for a transportation facility, warehousing and supply system, food service activity and fire and OSHA safety programs. He gained familiarity and active experience on most phrases of material support activities.

Certifications held by John were: Instructor’s Certificate, State of South Carolina, Department of Public Instruction.

Papers and Presentations by John: “The De-Esoterica of the Evaluation Process” (on systems evaluation) East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 1975.

“Standardization Committees, Help or Hindrance.” (on the role of administrative decision-making in material selection), and was published in Hospital Material Management Magazine during summer quarter 1977.

School Administration Certification, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Instructor’s Certificate, United States Karate Association.

Military Experience:

John was schooled as Purchasing/Medical Material Administrator, at the Health Service College, Fort Sam Houston, and San Antonio, Texas.

He was schooled as a Medic Health Service College, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas .

He served in both capacities during service in Europe.

He was awarded a Direct Commission by the President of the United States to the rank of the First Lieutenant and served in the Medical Service Corps, United States Army.

John was honorable Discharge in August 1974.

Awards and Honors: John received Direct Commission to U.S. Army

He received the United States Government Fellow for work in Program Development/ Administration in the field of Education.

He also received Abbot Walter Vincent scholarship, Belmont Abbey College.

Activities: PI KAPPA PHI Fraternity, Charter Member of Gamma Mu Chapter

American Society of Allied Health Professions

Adult Education Association of the United States

North Carolina Public Health Association

North Carolina Hospital Purchasing Agents Association

Continuing Education: John completed master’s level courses in Administrative Science (ECU)

He completed six Quarter hours work in Adult learning

He completed purchasing seminars (24 hours) North Carolina Purchasing Agents Assn.

He took the course, Evaluation of Systems Process, (UNC)

He also attended the U.S. Army, Medical Service Officer Training College San Antonio, Texas, 1972

Continuing Experience: He worked through High School and College as stock clerk and truck driver to begin foundations in Material Management and Transpiration in which he was later formally trained.

He was the chairmen of the English Department and Instructor Clover School District #2. Roosevelt High School. He administered a small business in property sales and apartment rentals, (Farris Apartments and Properties). He was employed on three North Carolina Newspapers as reporter and feature writer.

He worked with E.F. Hutton & Company from 1981 - 1984 as a Financial Planner followed by the E.F. Hutton Portfolio Managers School and a graduate Portfolio Manager. Later John joined Paine Webber, Inc in 1984 as a Certified Financial Planner and National Portfolio Manager. John's Financial Philosophy was: "A conservative approach to increasing client assets through using asset mix and allocation strategies, utilizing Financial Planning for a coherent plan of capital growth, and Portfolio Management techniques to protect assets from deterioration".

John and his wife Julia jointly served in the preparation of new families prior to their marriages. John prepared them in the field of finances and Julia's role was in the leadership of careers. In the provision of marriage, they shared with the proposed Bride and Groom: Remember on your wedding day two persons exchange vows but six persons enter the marriage. The Bride enters as The person she is, The person she thinks she is and The person he thinks she is. The Groom enters as The person he is, The person he thinks he is and The person she thinks he is.

His writings challenged people to decide, Who, What, When, Where and How:

Where do careers fit into life’s priorities? To seek excellence not perfection.

His priorities for personal excellence:

1) A personal relationship with God. 2) Commitment to family. 3) Dedication to career.

When we are born into our physical bodies as infants, we are almost a purely spiritual essence, because we have had no contract or experience with the world. Shouldn’t our first priority be to maintain our spiritual well-being? I think St. Augustine had his priorities in order when he said, “The purpose of life is to serve God.” Two of the hardest tasks in life are staying married and raising children.

Commitment to family begins by marrying the “right” person and then becoming the right partner.

90% of life’s joy or sorrow derived from one’s spouse.

You are here this evening because you have selected the material vocation. Essentially, you are your future mate’s “chosen one” to achieve God’s will for your life and reach eternal salvation.

Some suggestions for selecting your perspective mate:

1) Learn his/her life goals and values. 2) Learn his/her family traditions and values. 3) What is most important to you in life? Ask their views on these matters, such as intimacy, children, finances, how leisure time will be spent, and careers. Setting boundaries is important. 4) Discuss who will take the lead position in various aspects of your marriage – house hold chores, yardwork, bill writing etc.

5) What is his/her temperament? It is a common belief that all humans are wired alike – we tolerate a very limited range of feelings. Reserved and emotional temperaments may clash.

John's Recipe for a Happy Marriage:

Take plenty of patience, Blend smooth with love; Fold in enough humor,To season above.

Then sprinkle with laughter, And stir in some praise; Add kindness and tact for,Those difficult days.

Mix warmly together, With faith, trust, and cheer, Makes one happy marriage, That mellows each year

By: Carinne Adrina Bartieau

Eight ways to express the heartfelt phrase “I Love You.”

I nspire Warmth

L isten to each other

O pen your heart

V alue your union

E xpress your trust

Y ield to good sense

O verlook mistakes

U nderstand the differences

"If I had my life to live over, I would pick more daises

I would try to make more mistakes next time

I would be sillier than I had been this trip

I would relax; I would limber up

I know very few things I would take seriously

I would take more trips, travel lighter

I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic

I would take more chances

I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers,

And watch more sunsets.

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who live practically

And sensibility and sanely, hour after hour, day after day,

Oh, I have had my moments,

And if I had to do it all over again, I’d have more of them.

In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.

Just moments, one after another,

Instead of living so many minutes ahead.

I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and road map.

If I had my life to live over,

I would start barefooted in the spring

And stay that way later in the fall

I would ride more merry-go-rounds, and swing more

I would do more water and sun-fun things.

I would turn more somersaults, and go barefoot all over.

If I had my life to live over,

I’d spend more time at fun places

I’d try to be more in touch with God and those I love.

I’d pray aloud more, and not care what people think or expect of me.

I’d give more of me, and take more of you

I’d just be more and more….

Yes, I’d pick more daises next time".

John's wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed by his loving family, church family, business associates and all of his friends.

Those left behind to cherish John's memories and continue his legacy are his loving wife of 40 years; Julia Eskridge Farris of the home; two sons: John Michael Farris of Delray Beach, Florida and James Franklin Farris of Gastonia, North Carolina; one granddaughter: Aspen Amberly Ski Farris; one sister: Jean Marie Farris of Lincolnton, North Carolina.

John was the son of the late John Leo Farris, Sr and Lillian Moses Farris.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday ~ May 21, 2020 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 708 St. Michaels Lane, Gastonia, North Carolina 28052 with Father Lucas Rossi performing the ceremony with lovely readings of the Word based on the Gospels to comfort John's family and friends.

Graveside and committal ceremony will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery, 100 Belmont ~ Mount Holly Road, Belmont, North Carolina 28012.

The family will receive guests from 6:00 PM ~ 7:30 PM and a Rosary Ceremony will be held at 7:30 PM Wednesday ~ May 20, 2020 with Celeste Durasoff serving as the Rosary Leader in the Chapel of Carothers Funeral Home, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054.

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be sent to the Knights of Columbus - St. Michaels Church, 708 St. Michaels Lane, Gastonia, North Carolina 28052.

Expressions of love and fond memories may be made on John's guestbook at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com

John Farris and his family are in the loving care of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park.