James “Jim” Alan Farley was big in heart, in size and in spirit. At 6’4”, he was a gentle giant. His kindness, humor, and straightforward honesty touched all who knew him.

Jim died on March 6, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of friendship, laughter, and the reminder to all of us that life is a great adventure.

Jim bravely fought glioblastoma (brain cancer) for 16 months. True to his nature, he faced his illness with humor, strength, and the love of those closest to him.

Born on Sept. 20, 1966, in Lake Charles, La., Jim lived a life full of travel and connection with many friends. His journey took him from the Louisiana coast to the coasts of the South Island of New Zealand and northern California.

A graduate of McNeese State University, Jim spent his career caring for others. He worked as a registered nurse in Southwest Louisiana and in East Texas. His sense of adventure took him to the largest hospital in Australasia, located in Christchurch, New Zealand, and later to a hospital on the Pacific coast in Fort Bragg, Calif.

The Farleys have lived in East Texas for most of the 1990s and 2000s. During this time, Jim shared his wisdom as a nursing instructor at Tyler Junior College and loved the students he taught. Most recently, he served as a home health nurse at Centerwell Home Health.

Whether in the chaos of the emergency room or the quiet of home health care, Jim’s compassion and strength was a comfort to countless lives.

Despite his busy career, Jim knew how to enjoy life. Jim was a long-time judge at the World Champion BBQ Cook-Off at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He loved riding his Harley Davidson. He loved gathering with friends around a campfire, listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, laughing and swapping stories.

Affectionately known as “Squatch,” he was the glue that held together friend groups wherever he went. Jim never met a stranger. He welcomed anyone to church, the fire pit, or his home, always with a coffee or beer in hand and an open heart.

Jim loved the outdoors and its beauty. From the swamplands of Louisiana to the wilds of New Zealand and the rugged coastline of Northern California, he found peace in nature and joy in the people he met along the way. Jim was an adventurous soul and saw places in the world most only dream about. His travels included a three month camping and hiking trip covering most of the Southern United States and vacations and mission trips to Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Nicaragua, Australia, Northern Africa, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rusk, Texas, and was a faithful Christian servant. Over the years, he was a youth leader and a member of numerous church committees. His favorite place to serve was in the mission field and in disaster relief. He enjoyed being the hands and feet of Christ.

Jim is survived by the love of his life and wife of 28 years, Sunny Brown Farley, and his two teenage sons, Kai and Hunter Farley. He also leaves behind his mother, LeJaunta Farley of Westlake, La.; his sister, Callie and her husband, Rocky, and their son Caden of Westlake, La.; his mother and father-in-law, Nancy and Gary Brown of Fort Worth, Texas and his brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Melissa Brown, and nephew, Felix of Los Angeles, Calif. He is preceded in death by his father, James Thomas Farley.

Jim’s family, Jim’s beloved pub group, GRACED (The Greater Rose Area Chapter of Educated Drinkers,) and so many other friends around the world will cherish his memory.

A funeral service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at Lake Palestine United Methodist Church in Chandler, Texas, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to this precious lakeside church that the family counts as their long-time “home church.” Jim will be memorialized in the church’s memorial garden.

Also, gather together with friends around a campfire and lift a glass to Jim; he’d want nothing more.