Larry Dean Farthing, Minister of the Village Christian Church of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas for sixteen years, passed away quietly Sunday, April 16, 2023.
Larry was born January 29, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, IL to Don and Nevah Farthing. He gave his life to Christ at the age of twelve. Not long after, he answered the call to become a minister. Upon graduation from High School in 1961, he attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO earning a Bachelor of Sacred Literature in 1965. He began preaching at area churches around Joplin in 1962 and continued to preach the Gospel of Christ nearly every Sunday for sixty-one years.
It was while studying for ministry that he met and married his wife, Kaylene Sue Reed on June 12, 1964. Together, they served churches in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas including planting two churches in the Austin, TX area. They also raised three children, Tracy, Jason, and Marcia.
Larry enjoyed classic cars, playing softball and golf, and watching a good football game on TV. However, his greatest joy was his family, his service for Christ and the Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Nevah, and a grandson, Aaron. He is survived by Kaylene, his wife of 58 years, two sons, Tracy and Jason, and a daughter, Marcia, four grandchildren, and one great child, and by his brother and sister-in-law, Rodney and Jan, and his sister, Hyla.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 22, at Village Christian Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Village Christian Church in Hot Springs Village, AR or to Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO.