James M. Farren

James M. Farren

Surprise, Ariz.

Jim Farren was born Jan. 20, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Irish immigrant parents from Donegal, Ireland. He died on Dec. 31, 2022.

Jim is a graduate of St John’s University, New York, N.Y. He was employed by the Frisco Railway for over 30 years, serving in New York, Boston and St. Louis. After the merger with the Burlington Northern Railroad, he was assigned to Atlanta, Ga. He retired in 1993 and married Andrea Hersey in Baltimore, Md., before moving to Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jim is survived by his wife, Andrea Hersey; daughters, Maureen Butler, St. Louis, Mo., and Regina (Ted) Pimmel, Bolingbrook, Ill., stepchildren, Stephanie (Jim) Neff, Jennifer Robinson, John (Jill) Krizan and Karen DiFrancesco; seven grandchildren, Shannon (Ryan), Molly, Kyle, Lucy, Elly, Abby (Gregory) and Maggie; seven stepgrandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca (Feddy), Nicole, Erica (Cory), Kristyn (Jesus), Sam and Magge (Jakob); and nine great grandchildren. His son, James Farren Jr. preceded him in death in 2021. Jim is also survived by several nieces and nephews scattered throughout the country.

A memorial celebration will be held in April 2023 at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to The Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.