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MICHAEL DUANE FARTHING
May 3, 1947 ˜ February 4, 2021
Michael Duane Farthing passed away at the age of 73 on Feb. 4, 2021, at his home in Vancouver, WA, with his wife and eternal companion, Carol Jean Farthing at his side.
Having been born in Wichita, KS, May 3, 1947, he has gone on to join in the blessed life to come, his angel mother, Clarine Farthing and honored father, Lloyd E. Farthing. Early in his life, the family moved to Corvallis, OR, where he graduated from high school in 1965. Mike served in the Vietnam War where he was awarded a Bronze Star and later attended BYU where he earned a degree in sociology.
On Nov. 22, 1972, he married his sweetheart Carol Jean Barrus in the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City, UT. Mike was an active and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in numerous positions often working with the young single adults. Mike loved studying and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Most of his professional career was as a sales rep for Columbia Ultimate Business Systems and The Intelitech Group in Vancouver, where he made many close friends. In addition to his devoted church work and career, Mike was probably best known as a regular at the many golf courses in and around Vancouver.
Mike is survived by his wife, Carol J. Farthing; brother, Richard Farthing of Trout Creek, MN; and sister, Sue Roberts of Albany, OR.
Funeral services will be held Feb. 13, at 10 a.m., in the Vancouver West Stake Center, 9728 NE 50th Ave., Vancouver.
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Larry Thornburgh
I just opened my mail this morning to read Mike’s announcement. It stunned my heart ❤️. Mike was my best friend from the day we got together through Highland Junior School and Corvallis HS. I went to a little league baseball to see this pitcher that was so good. Mike was the guy, and he was great. A couple of days later, we met each other in the swimming pool at CHS. From that day we spent a lot of time together. Mike was the one who gave me the nickname Tbird. It stuck with me for life. We both liked sports and hiking. Mike was the funniest guy that I ever met. He could get people to laugh wherever he went. His dad and mom were always so nice whenever we met. Then there was that younger brother Rick. He was known for taking chances. I remember that I was sitting on a step in the back yard. Rick picked up an apple and was trying to make me flinch that he was going throw it at me about 3 feet away. When I didn’t flinch, he threw it and got me. Sue was a cute little girl that I did not get to know very well. But we will all get together when the good Lord brings us together.
Michael Lyne
Mike and his family moved 4 houses down from my parents on NW Mulkey Dr. in the early 60's. The last conversation we had was right after Mike returned from Vietnam. The topics were the angel "Moroni", the book of Mormon, and the Bible. Mike had forgotten that after meeting my maternal grandmother, she used to take me to the Corvallis stake near the OSU campus where I sat with Brian Webb and Mark Rampton on Sundays. Her parents were some of the first LDS in LaGrande,Oregon in the early 1890's. We finally agreed to disagree and take up our discussion later. Perhaps in the new earth during the 1000 year reign of Christ we will talk again.Time will tell.
Alan Sharpnack
I have great memories of playing golf with Mike when we were young. Periodically my mother would drop us off at the Albany golf course and pick us up in the afternoon. I remember that one day we were able to play 54 holes. We were pretty even then, but Mike's golf skills continued to improve whereas mine stalled. I was able to get together with Mike about 8 years ago just before we moved from Vancouver to Colorado. We were both living in Vancouver and didn't realize it. We had a great lunch together reminiscing of our times together many decades ago. Like Larry and Michael commented above, I too hope to see Mike when Jesus returns.