Joel Edmund Farm

Joel Edmund Farm, age 86, of Grants Pass, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at an adult foster home.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Calvary Lutheran Church with Pastor Janelle Aldrich-Dale officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Calvary Lutheran Memorials, 909 NE A Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526 or Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526

Joel was born March 25, 1921 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As he grew in age and stature, he would be described by the qualities of curious, hardworking, adventurous and loyal. He began his working career at a young age and at the age of 15 bought the family’s first car. He made strong friendships in his youth and they became known as the Suicide Six. They kept their strong bond into adulthood with yearly meetings, bringing wives along as they married. Joel served our country in the Army for two years during World War II. After leaving the service, he returned to California. It was there he fell in love with “Rainie” and married her November 17, 1946 in a church in Inglewood, California. They started their home and family in Manhattan Beach, later moving to Woodland Hills, California. Joel worked at Litton Industries in Canoga Park where he was instrumental in the development of the gyro system. He retired from Litton after 25 years of dedicated service. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church where he leaves many wonderful friends and memories. Moving to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1984, he joined Calvary Lutheran Church where he was also very active. He loved the community of Grants Pass and embraced all that it had to offer.

He always loved to travel and was lucky enough to visit many countries, often traveling with good friends.

In addition to his church memberships, Calvary Lutheran Church and St. Lukes Episcopal Church, he was also a member of Litton Gun Club, Toastmasters, Litton’s Management Club, Medford Clock Club, Channel Island Yacht Club, and Rogue Community Theater.

He enjoyed collecting clocks and had a real gift for restoring them to their original glory.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine “Rainie” Farm of Grants Pass; children, Devon & Bob Holder of Grants Pass; Cindy & Don Isley of Camarillo, California; Jeff & Lis Farm of Florence; and Marcy & Craig Backhus of Coto de Caza, California; grandchildren, David and Angie Johnson of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; Patrice Parker of Tumwater, Washington; Matthew and Lindsay Johnson of Gilbert, Arizona; Dennis and Melissa Johnson of Thousand Oaks, California; Kristopher and Beth Farm of Santa Monica, California; Casey Farm of Portland; Kyle Backhus and Alec Backhus of Coto de Caza, California; great-grandchildren, Christian and Gabbi Parker and Faith, Carter, Grace, Samuel, and Christopher Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Oscar Farm and Alma Lagergren Farm and a sister, Charlotte Johnson.

Joel leaves family and friends behind with many memories of a man who loved us deeply, told great Swedish jokes and was there when you needed him. He will be greatly missed.