Michael Don Farris, 65, made his glorious entrance into the world on September 7, 1959, in Madisonville, Texas and was welcomed home by his Heavenly Father on September 17, 2024. He was born to Jimmy Glynn Farris and Carolyn Jean Farris of Midway, Texas and attended Madisonville High School, where he says he proudly graduated “in the top 95% of his class.”
Although a baseball to the mouth made him realize he was not MLB material, he made a special kind of cowboy. After graduating, he flew into the business of training cutting horses, which he liked to claim made him “broker than a stomped-on cracker.” When he realized that the horse industry may not be an ideal profession, he worked tirelessly to obtain his insurance license and created a successful insurance business from the ground up. Even though he spent years behind a desk, he never gave up the saddle, originally preferring the one he kept on a stand to an office chair.
Those who talked to Mike at any point could immediately recognize the most important thing in his life: his kids. He never missed an opportunity to be a supportive father, no matter what it was that his two daughters wanted. Although he got away from cutting horses for a time, his daughter, Riley, dragged him right back to it ten years ago. Five years later, his other daughter, Reygan, joined the journey. Over the past several years, Mike, Reygan, and Riley hauled up and down the road, doing what Mike would call “trucker-mobiling.” Although he liked to complain about the mileage, the sore rear, and bad draws, he picked the best cattle and helped both daughters accomplish their dreams.
Aside from the show pen or an insurance office, Mike was most recognized by the light he brought into the room. Although he loved taking care of his family and being an old cowboy, his memory will be kept alive by what others loved about him. Mike was always known for how he never met a stranger, brought laughter to every situation, and the outrageous stories he loved to tell. Every person he met was immediately touched by his kind heart, smart mouth, and unique humor. It was always joked that he did not know what to do with himself outside of Midway, Texas. The “Farris Compound” and our whole community will definitely never be the same.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Glynn Farris, Jr. and his nephew, Kyle Mitchell Farris.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Riley Farris and Reygan Farris Richardson (Wess); parents, Jimmy and Carolyn Farris; brother, Mitch Farris; niece, Faith Farris; grandson, Tristan Richardson; and countless friends and family who will miss him dearly.
A visitation for Mr. Farris has been scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2024, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. in the chapel of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. A funeral service for Mr. Farris will take place at the Cattleman’s Pavilion in Madisonville, Texas on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 10 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in the Midway Cemetery. Ben Stevens will officiate the service.
Pallbearers: Roy Carter, Tommy Starns, Kenneth Starns, Kevin Knight, Juan Mejia, Loyd Harper
Honorary Pallbearers: Punk Carter, Casey Crouch, Chad Bushaw, Kory Pounds, Trent Bell, Gary Reichart, John Hardy
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the NCHA Foundation, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Final arrangements for Michael Don Farris are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.
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