YORKTOWN — Fred Grey Farthing Jr., 86, died Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021. Fred was a native of Wytheville and a Peninsula resident since 1975.
He graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1956 and served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonial in 1979. He immediately started a second career with the Bionetics Corporation and retired again after 20 years. By then, Fred felt that he needed to give back to the community and joined the York Lions Club in January of 2000.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred G. And Effie Farthing; brother, William Farthing; and nephew, Will Farthing.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Jo Farthing; sons, Fred G. Farthing III, Lance Farthing and Steven Wilson (Lourdes); daughter, Lisa Ann Kimm (Larry); brother, Gail Farthing (Terri); grandchildren, Fred G. Farthing IV, Ashley Farthing, Chelsea Farthing, Kerrie Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Meredyth Davis and Wilson Kimm; and four great-grandchildren, Alex Farthing, Philip Farthing, Lashawn Donnell and Emerson Jo Davis.
Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the VMI Alumni Association, Moody Hall, 394 Letcher Ave., P.O. Box 932F, Lexington, VA 24450; or Prostate Cancer Research, 300 Corporate Pointe, Suite 383, Culver City, CA 90230.
