John Ross Farley of Port Richey, FL, formerly of Fairmont, WV died June 8, 2023 at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, FL. He is the son of Randall and Diana (deceased) Farley and Nancy Farley. He has a sister, Kiley Berry of Durango, CO. Maternal grandparents are John and Mary Chrobak (both deceased) of Fairmont, WV. Paternal grandparents are Eugene and Garvine Farley (both deceased) of Mannington, WV. He is survived by his aunts and uncles: Gregory and Paula Chrobak of Charleston, WV; William and Margaret Floyd of Shinnston, WV; Robert Hammell. Of Rachel, WV. Other deceased aunts and uncles: Sondra Fairleigh, Sharleen Hammell; Richard Farley, Robert Farley and Ermal Farley. He is also survived by many cousins and other relatives.
John Ross graduated from Fairmont Senior High School, class of 2000 where his arrangement of the school’s Alma Mater is played at graduation ceremonies and other events. He attended Alderson Broaddus University and Fairmont State University where he earned credits for a Regents degree for music performance. He also attended Drouhard National Jewelers School to become a certified Bench Jeweler and Goldsmith.
Throughout his education he took private music lessons, participated in Jazz Bands, Marching Bands, and Choirs.
He was Roman Catholic by Faith attending St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fairmont, WV as a child and then mostly St. Michael the Arch Angel in Port Richey, FL. He also enjoyed playing for services in various churches, including Christ Church in Palm Harbor, FL.
John was a member of the Knights of Columbus; The Moose Fraternity, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity.
He was an entrepreneur with magic, music and jewelry. Starting in middle school he opened his magic business performing at birthday parties, fairs, festivals, elementary schools and educator workshops. John Ross worked as a Bench Jeweler and Goldsmith for a couple of years in Fairmont, WV and later opened his own jewelry store, Capital Jewelry Brokers in Hudson, FL. After three years he closed the jewelry store and decided to focus more on music, which was his passion, pride and happy place.
John Ross performed professionally in many musical groups: The Royals, J.R. Farley Trio, J.R. Farley Band, Lazy Boy Band and many other various groups. Of late his major focus was Bandology Music School which was his studio in the Jewish Community Center in Port Richey, FL, where he gave private lessons on various instruments and voice. He also had J.R. Farley Music, Bands for all Occasions, which he put together different musical groups to match the request. John Ross also was the Conductor of the Anclote Symphonic Winds, a community wind symphony performing at the Jewish Community Center.
Arrangements have been made as follows:
Dobies Funeral Home
6616 Congress Street
New Port Richey, FL 34653
Visitation: Sunday, June 11, 2023 3:00-5:00 pm
Ross Funeral Home
801 Fairmont Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
Visitation: Thursday, June 15 5:00-8:00 pm
Friday, June 16 2:00-8:00 pm; Vigil at 7:00 pm
St. Anthony Catholic Church
1660 Mary Lou Retton Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554
Funeral Mass: Saturday, June 17 at 11:00 am
Officiating: Rev. Gary Naegele
Internment: Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairmont, WV should be mailed to
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the John Ross Farley Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to Marion County School Employees Federal Credit Union, 1512 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554. If you as a donor need more information, please contact Randall Farley via email: [email protected]
The family would like to thank all of the medical personnel who cared for him at Morton Plant North Bay and Mease Countryside Hospitals for their professionalism and tender care of John Ross and his family.
Thomas B Dobies Funeral Home - Congress St. Chapel
Carmen Torres
June 9, 2023, 6:26 pm
JR thank you for the many years of friendship and for instilling your gift of music with Paloma de la Reina. We will never ever forget you. We will keep “live music live” and she will continue “playing one hymnal a day.” We love you. Until we meet again. Rest with Our Heavenly Father. Peace be with your spirit. Amén.
Dennis Crow
June 9, 2023, 9:13 pm
J.R., many of us musicians will miss your talents and fun loving personality. It was a joy and honor to be called to play in your Sinatra tribute band this past year—definitely a highlight for me. Rest in peace.
Dennis Crow
Antonio Margheriti
June 10, 2023, 3:32 am
Dear friend, you are sorely missed. I cherish all the times we laughed and shared together. You’ve touched the lives of so many people. Such a kind heart and beautiful soul. I love you brother. I hope you are conducting the big band in heaven.
Rodney Keiser
June 10, 2023, 3:27 pm
J.R. I will miss our many conversations about music and music education. Your dedication to both is a North Star for all of us. Then there were our jam sessions at Bandology where we had so much fun playing the jazz classics with you behind the drums and singing. Til we meet again on the big stage in the sky, R.I.P. my dear friend.
Annette Guiliani-Maio
June 10, 2023, 10:56 pm
I am eternally grateful that you were able to give the gift of music to Joseph. To watch him go from a kid learning to play a clarinet to a Superior rated musician in his school has just been the most amazing experience! And to have him sit side by side with Lou and take over his first chair spot was just amazing! I will cherish this and our friendship forever! Thank you! I will miss you!
Robert Germano
June 10, 2023, 11:50 pm
mio buon amico, il mio cuore è spezzato nell’apprendere della tua scomparsa. illuminavi sempre una stanza quando entravi. possa Dio godere dei tuoi talenti musicali e mantenerti nella pace eterna.
Mark Anthony
June 11, 2023, 6:54 pm
We just spoke on the phone a couple weeks ago. JR calls me every couple months to see how I’m doin since my heart surgery etc. Friends for 15 years. We talked shop mostly. Spend 5 minutes trading joked. Sometimes wed call eachother just to tell a new joke!! Lol . He always told me about how proud he was of his students. He was an extremely talented musician and a good man. A good friend of mine who I will miss dearly.
Kimberly Canosa
June 11, 2023, 8:19 pm
So saddened by this. You truly inspired my daughter in music. She is heartbroken. You are so talented and a genuinely nice human being. Your loss touches many and you will be sincerely missed. May you rest in peace J.R.
Daniel Osborne
June 12, 2023, 12:10 pm
I graduated high school with John Ross and considered him a great friend. He was our little band nerd that was loved just as much as he was eccentric. God gave him a musical ability that not only John Ross would cherish, but everyone who knew him did as well.
My favorite memory of him was when on my first night at band camp, he burst into our bunk with a plunger and a can of Lysol hunting down an errant mouse.
Rest in peace, John Ross.
Vera Rose
June 12, 2023, 7:22 pm
JR was my piano teacher for years. He has always been there for many parts of my life and I couldn’t be more grateful. He always listened and cared, and has truly pushed me to become a better pianist. He was always so genuine and understanding. I’m so fortunate to have learned from such a musician like him. Thank you, JR. Rest in peace.
Mary Sarianides
June 12, 2023, 7:49 pm
Rip my dear friend. Thank you for all you have done for the community. Although we were only friends a few years, I felt like we were friends forever. Gosh I will miss you! Thank you for always being there for me and welcoming me in ASW. You will always be in my heart. Rest in peace in heaven. Love you always, Mary Sarianides
Stephanie Wilson
June 12, 2023, 11:50 pm
Such a tragic end to such a young and talented life. I still listen to your Christmas cd from many years ago. I always loved your rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. You will truly be missed by many. Find Gary somewhere up there so the two of you can reminisce. He thought alot of you. RIP in the loving hands of the Lord.
Wendy Rich
June 21, 2023, 2:33 am
JR..the moment we met we were fast friends. Kindred spirits in music and life, I was so blessed to have you as a friend over the past decade. You will be sorely missed not only by me, but by the many you inspired! You used all the gifts God gave you to the FULLEST! A true inspiration in so many ways. I will always love you. A great human . Gone too soon but ..god is calling all his BEST first! I pray I join you. Thank you for existing. Love and LOVE❤️❤️
Louis A Zagar
July 8, 2023, 4:09 pm
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Farley, anyone who spearheads a new performance group as he did with the Anclote Symphonic Winds, deserves the greatest of praise and respect. Tragic as his passing was, at least he gave the pleasure of music to so many….young and old(er). A sad and unfortunate loss for all. As they say in my church (Orthodox), “May your memory be Eternal.” Sincerely, Dr. Louis A. Zagar (former music director and conductor, The City of Dunedin Concert Band, 2008-2014).
Donald Visceglie
November 12, 2023, 7:10 pm
You are dearly missed my friend.