Mr. Beverly Ben Perry Farrens

U.S. Army Retired Major Beverly “Ben” P. Farrens passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2015, in his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida. He was 98. He was one of the last of that rare breed known as “The Greatest Generation”. Ben was born in Maryville, Missouri on May 30, 1917. One of five children born to Perry Hamilton Farrens and Iola Faye Porterfield Farrens, he spent his childhood years in Fort Collins, Colorado. As a teen, he worked as a cattle rancher in Montana. When Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Ben enlisted and departed for the U.S. Army Air Corp in Hawaii. In 1941 he was shipped overseas to the Philippine Islands where he would spend the next four years in battle. When General MacArthur ordered our troops to surrender to the Japanese, Ben along with fourteen other men fled into the hills where they joined forces with the Moros and fought to survive in the jungles. Those soldiers became known as the “American Guerrillas of Mindanao”.

Ben’s efforts in the jungles earned him a cascade of decorations including the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, a succession of Oak Leaf clusters, US Campaign Service awards: Conduct Medal, Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, AsiaticPacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge. His foreign awards included: Philippine Military Merit medal (equivalent to the Bronze Star), Philippine Liberation, Philippine Defense, Philippine Presidential Defense. His weapon badges included: Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert.

By the end of the war, he left the islands as a Captain, taking his beautiful bride and their firstborn daughter with back to the United States. He remained in the Army until retiring in 1959 as a Major.

Although proud of his efforts in the war, Ben was a family man first. He adored his wife Juanita. They settled in New Orleans and raised their eight children with strong values of family, faith and friends. He was a pillar in the community. He worked for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and was an active member of St. Dominic Church. They spent fifty years of their lives in Lakeview until the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home. They relocated in Florida in 2005, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Ben lost his beloved wife Nita in May of 2012. Although he cherished visits from his children and grandchildren these past few years, her death left him with a terrible emptiness. Ben has now joined her in eternity, together again. He will be forever missed.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, Don and Merle “Cal” Farrens; his sister Betty Farrens Barnhill; and his beloved wife of 67 years, Juanita “Nita” B. Guzman Farrens.

He is survived by his loving children Rebecca “Becky” Schultz, Donna “Sam” Proctor, Linda Sue Sanchez, Dennis Michael “Mike” Farrens, Perry Hamilton “Tommy” Farrens, James “Jim” Steven Farrens, Debby Gaudet, and David Scott Farrens. Ben is also survived by his grandchildren Rebecca, Benjamin and Melissa Schultz; Trina Sanchez Simpson, Nanette Sanchez Miller; Perry Hamilton “PJ” Farrens, Petina Farrens Huffman; Christina, Ashley, Brandon and Tyler Farrens; Donna, Andrew “Andy” and Madeline Gaudet; and his great grandchildren Charles David “CD”, Donovan, Bailey and Jordan Simpson; Logan and Travis Miller; Lucas, Cameron, Hamilton and Melaina Farrens; Haleigh Sue and Christian Harding; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.

At the family’s request, a private memorial service will be held. The interment will take place at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. For those so desiring, donations in honor of Ben Farrens may be made to Catholic Charities.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.