In Memory Of
Max R. Farley
1936
2021
Max R. Farley
August 24, 1936 — February 9, 2021
Max R. Farley passed away February 9, 2021 at Akron General Hospital, Akron, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings, his wife Dorothy {Parsons} Craven, and a step-son Nathan Craven. He is survived by his sister Marla (Robert) Moyer of East Greenville, PA, a step-son Marc Craven, and step daughter Kym (Ted) Elfrink of N. Canton, Ohio. He is also survived by many extended family members, four step-grandchildren, including a beloved step-grandchild, Dustin.
As his sister, I can only scratch the surface on the life of Max, as he loved life and did so many things. Max was born in Richwood, West Virginia on August 24, 1936 to the late Earl A. Farley and Claire {Roberts} Farley. As a young boy he helped on our farm. Our father Earl played the violin and our mother played the banjo. At fourteen years of age, Max taught himself to play the guitar. He had regular family jam sessions at our home with our two sisters who also played instruments and sang.
Max graduated in 1955 at Cowen High School in Cowen, West Virginia. He was a good football player, earning the nickname of Bird Dog. After high school he entered the Air Force and was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas. While in Little Rock, he played on the Louisiana Hayride and met several musicians that he jammed with.
When our dad passed away in 1959, he came home to help care for our mother. Upon his return, Max played music with Haze Johnson and Jack Delaney. He gave them both credit for helping him in his music world; both are now deceased. Soon after he played on WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia and was a guitarist for Connie Smith.
He later went on to play the Grand Ole Opry and was the lead guitarist for Ira and Charlie - The Louvin Brothers. He traveled with them, but decided touring was not for him. Sometime later he went to Ohio, and met his wife Dolly. He was playing around Akron and joined up with Howard Duff (The Freedom Highway Band) and Dolly sang. Max played with Bill and Vivian Alexander for about twenty years at the Eagles Club. I believe Johnny Strum played with them. Before his death, he would still sit in on jam sessions with Virgil Briggs and Jim Birch. He had too many friends for me to name.
Music aside, Max was so proud of his lawn and often said it looked like a golf course. He loved fishing and had won a couple of awards last year. He loved his little dog Anna and his Kitty Kitty.
Max Farley was the best brother anyone could hope for and we were close since childhood. We talked at least two times a day and I will miss him terribly, but I can only remember the good times. Taken too soon; I know he will be sitting in on jam sessions in Heaven.
I love you Max. You rest in peace.
As his sister, I can only scratch the surface on the life of Max, as he loved life and did so many things. Max was born in Richwood, West Virginia on August 24, 1936 to the late Earl A. Farley and Claire {Roberts} Farley. As a young boy he helped on our farm. Our father Earl played the violin and our mother played the banjo. At fourteen years of age, Max taught himself to play the guitar. He had regular family jam sessions at our home with our two sisters who also played instruments and sang.
Max graduated in 1955 at Cowen High School in Cowen, West Virginia. He was a good football player, earning the nickname of Bird Dog. After high school he entered the Air Force and was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas. While in Little Rock, he played on the Louisiana Hayride and met several musicians that he jammed with.
When our dad passed away in 1959, he came home to help care for our mother. Upon his return, Max played music with Haze Johnson and Jack Delaney. He gave them both credit for helping him in his music world; both are now deceased. Soon after he played on WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia and was a guitarist for Connie Smith.
He later went on to play the Grand Ole Opry and was the lead guitarist for Ira and Charlie - The Louvin Brothers. He traveled with them, but decided touring was not for him. Sometime later he went to Ohio, and met his wife Dolly. He was playing around Akron and joined up with Howard Duff (The Freedom Highway Band) and Dolly sang. Max played with Bill and Vivian Alexander for about twenty years at the Eagles Club. I believe Johnny Strum played with them. Before his death, he would still sit in on jam sessions with Virgil Briggs and Jim Birch. He had too many friends for me to name.
Music aside, Max was so proud of his lawn and often said it looked like a golf course. He loved fishing and had won a couple of awards last year. He loved his little dog Anna and his Kitty Kitty.
Max Farley was the best brother anyone could hope for and we were close since childhood. We talked at least two times a day and I will miss him terribly, but I can only remember the good times. Taken too soon; I know he will be sitting in on jam sessions in Heaven.
I love you Max. You rest in peace.
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