Jim Farrell, 86, BJ ad director in 1970s-80s, dies

James Kirby (Jim) Farrell, formerly of Akron, Ohio, died Friday July 1, 2011 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was 86.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to James K. and Elsie J. (Kirby) Farrell on March 3, 1925. He attended and graduated from the Shaker School System. During World War II he spent three years in the Navy Amphibious Forces on the LST545 in Pacific and home waters.

Jim graduated from Ohio University in 1949. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and the business and advertising manager of the Ohio University Post. Throughout his career he worked in newspaper advertising, first as a newspaper advertising sales representative in Cleveland, then in various positions including national advertising manager and advertising director of the Akron Beacon Journal in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the former President of the Ohio Newspaper Advertising Executives.

His philanthropic and civic work included membership in the Akron Rotary, Board Member of the Better Business Bureau, member of the American Cancer Society and Akron Advertising Club.

After retiring from the Beacon Journal, Jim lived in Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedre, Florida for 15 years, where he was a member of the Quarterback Club. In 2005, he moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to be near family.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois Ann (Erdman) Farrell; his three children and their spouses, Ann Midgley and her husband Pat Midgley of Carlisle, Pa., Kirby Farrell and his wife Laura Farrell of Charlottesville, Va., and Amy Farrell and her husband John Bloom of Carlisle, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Allison (Midgley) Thumma (and her husband Eric Thumma), Patrick Midgley, Jr. (and his wife Jennifer Midgley), Amy (Midgley) Maley (and her husband Matt Maley), Jake Farrell, Griffin Farrell, Anna Rose Farrell, Nick Bloom and Catherine Bloom; five great-grand-children, Alex, Anna and Samuel Thumma and Haily and Madeline Midgley; his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jackie Farrell of Bedford, N.Y.; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Margery and Robert Orth of Akron, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2011 at Dickinson College, Stern Center, Carlisle, with Rev. William C. Forrey as celebrant. Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Carlisle Area Educational Association (CAEA) Scholarship and Welfare Fund in memory of James K. Farrell, c/o Stephanie Weimer, Wilson Middle School, 623 W. Penn St., Carlisle, PA 17013. Jim was a strong believer in the importance of public education. To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal on July 7, 2011