Obituary for Ralph Blair Farra
Ralph Blair Farra the football coach, high school teacher and pilot passed away June 5, 2022, in Midlothian, Texas. Born April 10, 1938, Ralph spent the first eighteen years of life in New Jersey. He graduated Riverside High School in 1956 and spent four years in the U.S. Coast Guard before attending and graduating Temple University with a B.S. in Education in 1965. Ralph lettered in football at Temple and joked recently about his NFL draft eligibility. He was still waiting for the call up to the Pros.
Ralph had the luck of moving to Texas while he pursued his Masters degree at the University of Houston ultimately receiving a Masters of Science in 1969. Ralph pursued many passions in life including coaching football, teaching, and flying. He flew professionally for a number of years before settling in to his love of soaring. He was a member of the Texas Soaring Association, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association.
Ralph was a gentle and kind soul who loved animals, saved turtles on the road, and helped strays. He was intellectually curious and loved to learn about airplanes, history, and old cars. Above all else, he was an incredibly devoted father. He often shared a saying attributed to St. Francis de Sales to comfort his family and himself during times of change:
Do not fear the changes of life. God whose very own you are will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms. Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside anxious thoughts and imaginations.
His faith carried him throughout his life and he was most recently a long time member of St. Paul Episcopal Church of Ellis County.
Ralph is survived by his daughter Leslie, his son-in-law Jeremiah, his niece Kim, and his nephews Glenn and Edward, and his many friends. Not long ago, Ralph shared these words “Do not mourn me too much. I lived a good life and I am at peace.”
Services for Ralph will be held privately with friends and family. The family encourages donations to www.priderock.org in honor of Ralph for those interested.
Until we meet again through Christ.
Ralph had the luck of moving to Texas while he pursued his Masters degree at the University of Houston ultimately receiving a Masters of Science in 1969. Ralph pursued many passions in life including coaching football, teaching, and flying. He flew professionally for a number of years before settling in to his love of soaring. He was a member of the Texas Soaring Association, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association.
Ralph was a gentle and kind soul who loved animals, saved turtles on the road, and helped strays. He was intellectually curious and loved to learn about airplanes, history, and old cars. Above all else, he was an incredibly devoted father. He often shared a saying attributed to St. Francis de Sales to comfort his family and himself during times of change:
Do not fear the changes of life. God whose very own you are will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms. Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside anxious thoughts and imaginations.
His faith carried him throughout his life and he was most recently a long time member of St. Paul Episcopal Church of Ellis County.
Ralph is survived by his daughter Leslie, his son-in-law Jeremiah, his niece Kim, and his nephews Glenn and Edward, and his many friends. Not long ago, Ralph shared these words “Do not mourn me too much. I lived a good life and I am at peace.”
Services for Ralph will be held privately with friends and family. The family encourages donations to www.priderock.org in honor of Ralph for those interested.
Until we meet again through Christ.