Charles Farris, 94

Charles Richard Farris, 94, of Glenns Ferry, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, at St. Luke's Hospital, in Boise, after a short stay.

Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. in Glenns Ferry at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' meeting house. Charles will be laid to rest, next to his wife, Eva, at Glenn Rest Cemetery, in Glenns Ferry, immediately following the funeral service. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Born Aug. 30, 1912, on the upper peninsula of Michigan, in the small mining town of Calumet, to Charles E. and Flora H. Farris, Charlie spent his childhood, to age nine, in Calumet and Detroit.

In 1921, along with his parents and two younger sisters, Charlie came west, under their father's employment with the Union Pacific Railroad, to Idaho. The young Farris family called Nampa home for the next five years, with the addition of a baby sister, before a permanent move to Glenns Ferry in 1926.

He enjoyed participating on the Glenns Ferry Gorillas' football, basketball, track and tennis teams through his high school years. He graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1932.

As a young adult Charlie enjoyed dancing and attending dances around the area. During the course of the next eight years he met a young lady from Wendell, Eva Roholt. Charlie and Eva were married in Mountain Home on April 9, 1940, and spent the next 56 years as husband and wife until Eva's death on July 24, 1996. Together, they raised five sons and a daughter in Glenns Ferry.

"As an employee, Charlie was as loyal and steady as they come," his family said. He worked for Rosevear Hardware, in Glenns Ferry for 33 years until his retirement at age 67.

Uncee, as he was affectionately known by his numerous nieces and nephews, was honored and appreciated the opportunity to serve his community on the Glenns Ferry City Council from 1966-1971. He was very much involved with the fire department and spent 30 years as a volunteer fireman.

After the death of his wife he was active with the local senior citizens and enjoyed his friendships there.

"Through out his life he was very proud of his hometown and it always pleased him to hear Glenns Ferry mentioned along with the accomplishments of one of the young residents," his family noted.

"He was blessed to enjoy his retirement years, in excellent health, spending time with his children and their families and the many activities all were involved in at various times. Charlie and Eva found great joy in their children, 27 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.

"Charles lived a productive, good and decent life. The type of life a citizen of the United States of America is privileged to live," his family added. "He was a grateful, content, and happy individual. His memory will be cherished by all that knew him."

He is survived by: his two sisters. Mae Wright and husband. Harold, of Pocatello, and Helen Devaney of Glenns Ferry, six children and their spouses, Richard Farris of Farmington, Utah, Walter "Buzz" Farris of Blackfoot, Idaho, Gregory Farris of Pocatello, Idaho, Weston Farris of Meridian, Idaho, Angee Manning of Riverdale, Utah, Charles Farris of Ogden, Utah, all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his youngest sister, Grace Rhoads, and his wife, Eva.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Primary Children's Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 58249 Salt Lake City, Utah, 84158-0249.