Farris, Douglas (Age 81) of Washington, D.C.

Douglas Farris was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 22, 1933. He was the youngest of three children born to Speed and Mattie Farris. His older sister, Helen Turney, passed away earlier this year. His older brother, Bernard "Bunny" Farris, still lives in Dayton.

Doug attended St. John's Parochial School from the first through the eighth grades then graduated from Roosevelt High School in June 1952, where he played saxophone and basketball. He entered the United States Air Force in August of that same year and served until August 1956.

His assignments took him from Arizona, where he received training in chemical, biological, and radiological warfare to Europe, where he studied at Oxford University and gave classified briefings to commanding officers. He then went on to managing procurement contracts in Japan, personnel and budget matters in Korea, and finally serving as a Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge in Kansas.

After serving his country, he attended Ohio University from 1956 to 1958. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Dayton for a short time before coming to the Nation's Capital to continue working for the federal government.

He received training from the government and from Howard University that enabled him to teach Civil Defense courses and inspect the shelters and also to serve as an intelligence officer and a volunteer with the Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps. He also received federal government training in business, finance, and law. He served in the U.S. Commerce Department, the FHA, and then the Patent and Trademark Office from 1959 to 1971.

He finally settled in with the D.C. Department of Finance and Revenue in 1971. He had ample opportunity to utilize his love of math while taking on various positions, including managerial, within this agency.

Doug also had a personal life. Shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C., he was introduced to a beautiful young woman named Inez. They dated and fell in love. They were married in July 1961. His travels were over. He had found both a career and the love of his life in the Nation's Capital. They had two sons, Marc Anthony (born in 1962) and Gary Douglas (born in 1967).

He retired in late 1989 and spent his free time enjoying his family and friends, reading, talking (He loved to talk!), and watching television. He was deeply religious, very charismatic, and quick to smile. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a sparkle in his eyes that attracted a multitude of friends from all walks of life.

His survivors and those who will miss him the most are his wife of 53 years, Inez; two sons, Marc (Linda) and Gary; grandsons; a great granddaughter; his older brother, Bernard (Marjorie); a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

We, the family wish to thank everyone for your prayers and support during our time of sorrow. May God continue to bless you.

Viewing, 10am until time of Service, 11am, Monday, October 27, 2014 at the Takoma Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6951 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912.

Interment, Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland 20722