Charles J. Farris

Charles (Chuck) Joseph Farris, 88, of Omaha/Papillion, formerly of Warrensburg and Sedalia, MO and Peoria, IL passed away November 6, 2024, at Brookstone of Papillion in Papillion, NE.

He was born September 9, 1936, in Peoria, IL, the son of Peter Joseph Farris and Beulah Edythe (Megenity) Farris.

In 1954, Chuck graduated from Manual Training High School in Peoria, IL. On October 5, 1957, he married his wife, Frances M. (Kaurinas). He joined Broderick & Bascom Wire Rope Company in the accounting department and received a two-year certificate in accounting from the Keystone training program. He also worked part-time with Junior Achievement in Peoria, IL. He spent more than 30 years in sales, mechanical engineering, plant management and served as director of engineering and international sales in the field of wire rope. He spent time on the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier inspecting arrestor ropes for the Navy. For one year, he lived in the Philippines coordinating a licensing agreement with Jardine Industries. He was the General Manager of Universal Wire Rope Company’s joint venture between the United States and China, living in mainland China during a three-year period. He designed a popular no-stretch ski rope and was proud to travel to Japan selling ropes to the dozen or so new ski areas, as no one had sold steel into Japan at that time. He designed the layout for the Sedalia, MO wire rope factory and supervised the installation of the machines into the then new facility. On a large scope, he designed some of the machinery and had them produced. He participated in eight patents over his years in the wire rope industry. Through out his career Chuck served in many roles, traveling to all 50 states and 47 countries. He credited his success to the mentorship from many older wire rope engineers and rope makers throughout the years. Upon retirement from the wire rope industry, he and wife Fran operated the Sears Dealer store in Warrensburg, MO for seven years. He enjoyed woodworking, playing golf, playing pranks, telling stories--tall tales and everything related to wire rope. Chuck will also be remembered for the many pranks he enjoyed playing on family and friends—from hot wiring his father-in-law’s car and moving it around the block…on several occasions (“that damn Farris”), dressing a male mannequin and placing it in a stall of the women's restroom at work, to distracting his children in order to swipe the cherries off their ice cream sundaes. He was a complex man, often strict, demanding and difficult in striving for perfection in everything. More impactful, in particular to his children, was that throughout his life Chuck also quietly demonstrated his generous, selfless heart. He recognized his blessings and gave of his time, talents and resources to anyone he met in need by providing such help as handy man services, meals, clothing and gifts of money—all with no expectation in return.

Chuck was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gretna, NE and previously a member of Sacred Heart Church of Warrensburg, MO, Sacred Heart Church of Sedalia, MO, and St. Boniface of Peoria, IL. He was also a member of the Wire Rope Technical Board serving as Chairman for one year and a past member of Kiwanis. He volunteered at Neighborhood House Camp (a Red Feather Agency) in Peoria, IL with their youth group and provided maintenance.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of almost 50 years, Frances and both of his parents, Peter and Beulah Farris. Survivors include his sister C. Diane Knutson; three children, Christopher (Gigi) Farris, Polly Comas and Amy (Kelly) Hoskins; eight grandchildren, Peter Farris, Daniel Farris, Amanda Farris, Gwendolyn Comas, Sophia Comas, Meredith Comas, Joseph Comas and Ella Hoskins.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. with funeral services following at 11:30 a.m. on November 19, 2024, at Sacred Heart Church in Warrensburg, MO with Fr. Andrew Kleine officiating. Interment to follow at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Warrensburg, MO. Luncheon at the church will follow the interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested directly to Sacred Heart Church, 300 S. Ridgeview Dr, Warrensburg, MO 64093.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090 www.RoederMortuary.com