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| Rep. Rusty Farley R-Haworth |
State Rep. Rusty Farley’s funeral will be held Friday, July 8 at 2 p.m. in the Haworth High School Auditorium, HC 73 #1 on Highway 3 in Haworth. Rep. Farley served for many years on the Haworth School Board before joining the Legislature last year.
Rep. Rusty Farley, R-Haworth, died Monday afternoon, July 4, at a hospital in Paris, Texas, after suffering a pulmonary aneurysm.
Farley, 57, was elected in 2010 to represent House District 1, which covers the far southeast corner of Oklahoma.
House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee:
“Rep. Rusty Farley’s steady voice of wisdom will be greatly missed at the Legislature and beyond. During his short time at the Capitol, Rep. Farley quickly developed the admiration of his colleagues in the House through his compassionate character and commitment to solid Oklahoma conservative values. The House extends its hearts and prayers to his family and constituents at this time of loss.”
Governor Mary Fallin:
"Representative Farley was a dedicated public servant who will be sorely missed at the capitol. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family during this difficult time."
State Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City:
“Rusty ran for office, was elected and served his constituents at the Capitol for all the right reasons. He was a thoughtful person and a respected House member whose life and service to the state were cut too short. He will be missed as we remember and pray for his family and friends in the days and weeks to come.”
State Rep. Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City:
“I want to express my condolences to Rusty Farley’s family. Rusty was a true friend and a lot of fun to be around. His sense of humor was outstanding and he told many great stories. He took his job very seriously and was very conscientious when deciding how to vote. He sat behind me on the House floor for one session, but I will not forget him.”
State Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher:
“Representative Farley will be sorely missed by his fellow lawmakers. He always had a smile on his face and a story ready for you. He liked to talk about his grandkids. I would say that he lived life to the fullest. His family is in Nellie and my thoughts and prayers.”
Fellow freshmen members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives remember a friend and statesman:
State Rep. Josh Cockroft, R-Tecumseh:
“All I can think about is how genuine he was... How he sat there and knew exactly what he believed on every single vote and wasn't persuaded one bit by what people said. Such a pure heart in a simple and good man. I sure will miss him.”
State Rep. Donnie Condit, D-McAlester:
“I have never met a kinder or more polite person than Rusty. We attended prayer sessions together here at the Capitol, and in the short time we served together I respected his statesmanship and his allegiance to his district. We had discussed during the session scheduling a reunion of freshmen legislators during the interim, and in fact we had spoken this past week as he had plans in the works for a weekend of recreation and review of our roles as legislators. Rusty will truly be missed.”
“Rep. Farley was a great friend to many but he was even a better person. People like Rusty come along once in a life time.”
State Rep. James Lockhart, D-Heavener:
“Rusty was a great person to know – very straight-forward and committed to his constituents. We both served on the Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment Committee and the Transportation Committee, and on several occasions after deliberating an issue he would simply state, ‘I think this is what my district would want me to do’, and voted accordingly. He was not hung up on partisan politics, and would not label an idea as Democratic or Republican – it was simply a policy matter to consider. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to serve with him.”
State Rep. Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City:
“Rep. Rusty Farley was one of the best members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and our freshman class. What a good, good man and great encourager he was! We will miss him dearly.”
State Rep. Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell:
“In his short time as a legislator Rusty proved to be a caring statesman and public servant, and with his passing we have all lost a great representative. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
State Rep. Glenn Mulready, R-Tulsa:
“[W]e lost a great Republican Freshman Representative today. More importantly, our state lost a really good man. I don't know that there was a more pure heart than Rusty Farley.”
State Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman:
“Rep. Farley was truly one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met. His contagious laugh and smile always brightened my day. Rep. Farley never let politics or political parties stand in the way of friendship. His loving and caring spirit will be dearly missed among his colleagues.”
