Jack Farris
Nov. 1923~March 29, 2010
Jack Farris, 86, was born in November 1923, in Estill Springs, Tenn., to Mary Emma Bryant Farris and John Eulis Farris, and passed away Monday, March 29, 2010, in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The Farris family moved to Avila Beach in 1933 when Jack’s brother, Eulis “Big Jack” Farris, began operating J. Farris Fish Company. They also operated the “Lucky One” and “Lucky Boy” party boats out of Avila and Pismo Beach.
Jack attended the Avila Beach School from 1933 to 1939. On the first day of school he met his future wife, Madalene Pintor. Jack was graduated from San Luis High School mid-year so he could join the war effort in 1943. As a U.S. Army staff sergeant, Jack served as a boatswain operator in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He received the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Theater Medal, American Campaign Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star. He also served in Japan during the occupation.
After returning to Avila, Jack and Madalene were married at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Pismo in 1946. Jack partnered with James “Jim” Ramos as Ramos and Farris Construction from 1946 until he started Jack Farris Construction Co. in 1948. His green company trucks, with bright yellow signs with his name over the image of the Old Mission Church, were well-known about town until he retired in 1981. Jack was twice president of the San Luis Obispo Contractors Association.
Avid sportsmen, both Jack and Madalene were instrumental in the San Luis Obispo Sports Association. Jack was honored in 1972 with the Sportsman of the Year Award. The Farrises helped establish the long-running Wild Game BBQ, a San Luis tradition, held during the 1960s through the 1980s, and helped build the shooting range.
This October will be the first Colorado hunting season that Jack will have missed since 1953. Outside of family, their annual hunting trips to Colorado were first and foremost in their lives. Besides son Jack, nephew John Sargenti and sons-in law Ken and Brian and all their sons, many local San Luis businessmen have had the glorious opportunity to hunt on Strawberry Creek, the 40 Dollar Hole and Madalene Ridge on the McKee Ranch outside of Meeker.
Jack leaves behind his wife of 64 years Madalene P. Farris; children Jack A. Farris (Cindy) of San Luis Obispo, Calif., M. Anne Farris (Paul Wagner) of Mt. Shasta, Calif., Terry J. Farris-San Filippo (Ken) of San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Rhonda Garris (Brian) of Santa Margarita; grandchildren Kristy Snow (Greg) of Belmont, Calif., Brando Farris (Monica) of San Francisco, Calif., Gino Domenghini (Linda) of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Christina Domenghini of Morro Bay, Bailey San Filippo and Jack San Filippo of San Francisco, Calif., Hunter Garris of San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Jacob Garris of Santa Margarita; and two great-grandchildren Logan and Taylor Snow of Belmont.
Pop will be missed at Manini’s Barn (Old Timers) playing poker, fishing with Anne, picking his avocados with T.J., bidding on livestock at the Mid-State Fair with Rhonda and teaching his grandkids to fish, shoot, camp, play Skip-Bo, ski and travel. Jack is further survived by his dear close friends the McKees of Meeker and nephew John Sargenti of Salinas, Calif.; brother Pat Farris (Janet) of Granite Bay, Calif.; sister Jewel Begley of Willits, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack’s funeral mass was held Monday, Apr. 5, 2010, at the Old Mission in San Luis Obispo. Father Stieger, long-time friend, officiated. As per Jack’s wishes, no memorial reception was held. Donations in Jack’s name may be made to the Canyon County 4-H Club, c/o Rhonda Garris, 203 Ramona Dr., San Luis Obispo CA 93405 or the Madalene P. Farris Endowment, Cal Poly History Department, c/o Terry J. San Filippo, Cal Poly, College of Liberal Arts, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
