Obituary for John Farris

John Blanton Farris

March 9, 1925 – December 13, 2017

John Blanton Farris, age 92, long time resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 in Midwest City, OK.

A ceremony to gratefully remember his life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at the First Lutheran Church in Ponca City with Reverend Jeremy May officiating. Following the ceremony, he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Mary at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

John was born on March 9, 1925 to Cline Farris and Francis Moore Farris in Homestead, FL. John was raised in Homestead attending high school there until he convinced the U.S. Navy he was old enough to join, even though he was only 16 years old. During WWII, while on leave, he met a young lady named Mary Giddens at the drug store soda fountain in Shawnee, OK. They went out to the fair shortly thereafter. While at the fair, he won her a stuffed animal and her heart. Mary and John were married on February 16, 1945 in Shawnee after assuring a judge that she was old enough to be married. Following his military service, John and Mary lived in Shawnee for a while until John moved to Tulsa as a car salesman, a labor to which he devoted his professional career. As fortune would have it, John had an opportunity arise in Ponca City to take over Pioneer Dodge at 5th & Central in the early 1960’s. Jack Bowker became aware of his selling prowess, recruiting John to sell cars. Charlie Cannon wasn’t keen to let Jack Bowker have such a skilled salesman, so Charlie persuaded John to come work for him. Eventually, John made his own way selling cars in the mid 1980’s, opening Honest John’s Used Cars on North 14th Street. While running the car lot, John ran for Mayor of Ponca City, although he wasn’t voted in, he was given the honorary title of the Mayor of North 14th Street by his friends and colleagues. John operated his used car business until the late 1990’s. However, after selling the car lot, John couldn’t remain idle. Rod Murray’s Motor City reaped the benefit of John’s abilities until he left there in 2008. It’s uncertain whether John enjoyed selling cars or socializing with his clients, cherishing the relationships forged over a square deal.

John belonged to and stayed active in the American Legion, the VFW, and AMBUCS. Fundraising for the AMBUCS Pool was one accomplishment John was quite proud of, as well as helping with the annual motocross event. First Lutheran Church has been John’s church home for many years with John serving as an Elder and on the School Board over the years as he and Mary remained faithful members.

Anyone that knew John, would recognize him as an ornery soul, always lightening the air with witty bits about this and that. Patriotism for our country strongly defined his character. When he wasn’t chatting up his customers, or ribbing his loved ones, John enjoyed watching NASCAR, rooting for OU football, or sitting down to some home cooked food.

Survivors include his children: Michael B. Farris, Sr., of McAlester, OK, Darla Turney and husband Phillip of Ponca City; grandchildren: Michael Farris II. and wife Sincee of Raymore, MO, Matthew Farris of Ponca City, Amanda Hill and husband Travis of Broken Arrow, OK, Blair Turney of Ponca City, Rachael Sherman of Tulsa, OK, and Tatum Turney of Oklahoma City, OK; great grandchildren: Zachary Johnson of Norman, OK, Destiny Farris of Raymore, MO, Isabella Burr of Broken Arrow, OK, Ethan Burr of Broken Arrow, OK and Reese Curfman of Ponca City, no list of those he loves would be complete without his faithful dog Miles Farris, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mary Farris, parents, daughter Pat Sherman, and siblings Carolyn, Helen, and Ray.

Casket Bearers will be Matthew Farris, Michael Farris II, Phil Turney, Mike Lozier, Zachary Johnson, Jay Bohon, Danny Grimes, and Travis Hill. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Charlie Cannon, Hurley Bohon, Bobby Snow, Jay Hibbs, and Doug Klufa.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made on the following website: www.gofundme.com/johnbfarris

Source: Trout Funeral Home