Obituary for Dale Farley
Dale Farley , 70 of Sparta, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
He was born Friday, May 27, 1949 in Sparta, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Haskel Farley and the late Bessie Williams Farley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Brittany Ann Farley Johnson, his sister, Linda (Farley) Koltholf, and his brothers, Jimmy Clouse, Ralph Farley, and Wendell Farley.
Survivors include:
Wife- Karen Farley
Son- Brandon Farley
Grandchildren- Branson Farley, Dalton Stallings, and Kaytlyn (Clark) Adcock
Brother- Donnie Farley
Sister-in-laws- Janine (Billy) Ayers and Lynne (Mike) Carr
Many neices, nephews, friends, and neighbors also survive.
Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Cumberland Heights Church of Christ with Doug Downs officiating. Burial will follow in O'Connor Cemetery. The family will welcome friends Sunday, June 16, 2018 at 3pm at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. They will also welcome friends on Monday, June 17, 2019, from 10am until time of the service at the church.
As long as he could remember, Dale had a dream to play professional football. Dale was quoted in a West Virginia program in November 1970, saying "All I've ever wanted to do was make it to the pros." Dale played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was named All-American. He was also named to the All-East and All-South teams. In addition, he was selected to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
But one of his greatest accomplishments while at West Virginia was meeting and marrying a beautiful Sparta girl (Sparta, New Jersey) that has been his bride for 48 years. Shortly after Dale and Karen married, the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the third round of the 1971 draft. Dale played outside linebacker with the dolphins and played in Super Bowl VI in January 1972. Dale also later played with the Buffalo Bills and the Toronto Argonauts.
In the Spring of 2009, Dale was asked to speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet in Morgantown, WV. Coach Jim Carlen was the featured speaker. In a newspaper article from the West Virginian Times, this quote from the author stated, "The former player who really moved the crowd was linebacker, Dale Farley, who talked about living through bouts of alcoholism." "But I am a Christian now," Farley said. "God has helped me through it... I am a Child of God."
Needless to say, he stole the show!
Dale's dream of playing professional football was definiately realized, but I am sure if he could talk to us today he would tell us that the "Young Warrior" that always remained Sparta Strong was most proud of his life as a Christian husband, father, and friend that inspired and led many to know the Jesus he served.
Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com
He was born Friday, May 27, 1949 in Sparta, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Haskel Farley and the late Bessie Williams Farley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Brittany Ann Farley Johnson, his sister, Linda (Farley) Koltholf, and his brothers, Jimmy Clouse, Ralph Farley, and Wendell Farley.
Survivors include:
Wife- Karen Farley
Son- Brandon Farley
Grandchildren- Branson Farley, Dalton Stallings, and Kaytlyn (Clark) Adcock
Brother- Donnie Farley
Sister-in-laws- Janine (Billy) Ayers and Lynne (Mike) Carr
Many neices, nephews, friends, and neighbors also survive.
Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Cumberland Heights Church of Christ with Doug Downs officiating. Burial will follow in O'Connor Cemetery. The family will welcome friends Sunday, June 16, 2018 at 3pm at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. They will also welcome friends on Monday, June 17, 2019, from 10am until time of the service at the church.
As long as he could remember, Dale had a dream to play professional football. Dale was quoted in a West Virginia program in November 1970, saying "All I've ever wanted to do was make it to the pros." Dale played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was named All-American. He was also named to the All-East and All-South teams. In addition, he was selected to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
But one of his greatest accomplishments while at West Virginia was meeting and marrying a beautiful Sparta girl (Sparta, New Jersey) that has been his bride for 48 years. Shortly after Dale and Karen married, the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the third round of the 1971 draft. Dale played outside linebacker with the dolphins and played in Super Bowl VI in January 1972. Dale also later played with the Buffalo Bills and the Toronto Argonauts.
In the Spring of 2009, Dale was asked to speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet in Morgantown, WV. Coach Jim Carlen was the featured speaker. In a newspaper article from the West Virginian Times, this quote from the author stated, "The former player who really moved the crowd was linebacker, Dale Farley, who talked about living through bouts of alcoholism." "But I am a Christian now," Farley said. "God has helped me through it... I am a Child of God."
Needless to say, he stole the show!
Dale's dream of playing professional football was definiately realized, but I am sure if he could talk to us today he would tell us that the "Young Warrior" that always remained Sparta Strong was most proud of his life as a Christian husband, father, and friend that inspired and led many to know the Jesus he served.
Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com