Pat Farley

Daniel “Pat” Farley, Lt. Colonel USAF (retired), Derby, Kansas, passed away on October 15th at the age of83. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Pat always said he was: “A proud son of the City and an even prouder son of Bishop Loughlin High School and St. John’s University”. It was at St. John’s where Pat met the “One Great Love of his Life”, the former Nancy Lamb, who became his soulmate for almost 59 years. Pat began his 20 year Air Force career as a Navigator in the KC-135 Tankers at Plattsburgh AirForce Base, New York. Pat and Nancy’s two daughters, Kelly and Tara were born while stationed in Plattsburgh.

In 1972 Pat volunteered to fly his dream aircraft, the F-4 Phantom II, by accepting a tour in Southeast Asia (Vietnam). Flying out of Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Pat flew 155 Combat Missions with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Black Widows, as well as duty as a Laredo Fast FAC. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 11 Air Medals.

Pat was assigned to Hahn Air Force Base, Germany in 1973, where he continued to fly the F-4. It was during these years, living in Europe, that the Farley family found their love of traveling. Pat’s final Air Force destination was McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS. It was here that Pat served as a Squadron Commander for the 532nd Strategic Missile Squadron and was a Project Officer for the Deactivation of the 17 Titan II Missile sites surrounding Wichita.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1986, Pat remained living in Derby and accepted a position in the Government Marketing Department at Beech/Raytheon Aircraft Company. He was proud to be part of teams that won major contracts to sell trainer aircrafts to the Air Force, Navy, and multiple International Air Forces. Both of Pat’s girls attended Kansas State University, and during this time Pat developed a love for Kansas State sports. He and Nancy have had season football tickets for 36 years. Football weekends in Manhattan included fun tailgates and visits to St. Isidore’s Catholic Church with family and friends. This passion for K-State did not diminish his devotion for his alma mater, St. John’s University, and their basketball team, as well as his love for the New York Mets baseball team, as baseball has been part of his life since he was a little boy in Brooklyn.

Pat retired from Raytheon in 2005. He and Nancy enjoyed spending time watching their six grandchildren grow. He was actively involved in supporting his grandchildren through all of their sports and activities at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park, KS, and Sacred Heart High School, Salina, KS. Nancy and Pat spent time traveling internationally, particularly enjoying February of each year in Hawaii with their “Ohana” in Maui.

Pat is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Kelly (Matt) Kinnan, Lenexa, KS Tara (Todd) Herrenbruck,Salina, KS, six grandchildren, Alex Kinnan, Ingrid Herrenbruck, Grant (Kate) Herrenbruck, Keirn Kinnan, Katie Kinnan, and Tate Herrenbruck and his brother Bill Farley, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 21st, at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kansas from 5-7 pm, with a rosary at 7 pm. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, October 22nd at 10:30 am, St. Mary Catholic Church, Derby,Kansas. Burial at a later date at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers a Memorial has been established with St. Mary Catholic Church, 2300 East Meadowlark,Derby, Kansas 67037.

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