Jay Lee Farrow

Jay Lee Farrow, 91, died at his home on June 20, 2018. Jay was born in Clear Lake, Iowa on October 16, 1926 to Samuel Lamont Farrow and Irene (Bower) Farrow. The family moved to Adel, Iowa where Jay attended Adel High School graduating in 1947. A few months later Jay married his high school sweetheart, Darlene F. Carson. Jay loved to play sports especially basketball and football. After high school Jay worked several jobs, including the Adel Brick and Tile Company, Redfield natural gas storage, and farming with his dad. Eventually Jay gave up the other jobs to work full time on the family farm milking cows, raising market hogs, and cultivating row crops. He later expanded his operation to include custom farming another 2000 plus acres and custom harvesting in the fall. He started farming with horses and ended farming with 100 plus horse power John Deere (JD) tractors and combines that could harvest 8 rows of corn at one time. He finally gave up farming at the ripe old age of 79, so he could focus on his other careers. If someone was looking for Jay during the spring, summer, early fall, just drive past Adel, DeSoto, and Minburn (ADM) school grounds and look for the JD mower. He mowed for over 20 years, finally calling it quits at the age of 88. He was the head usher and custodian at the Adel Methodist Church for many years. He found that he loved baking pies for the Wednesday evening church suppers and scooping ice cream at the ice cream socials. Jay leaves three daughters, Carolyn Knittle of Des Moines, Susan (Steve) Olson of Lyons, NY, and Barbara Farrow of Windsor Heights; two granddaughters Kristin Knittle and Jillian Cook; two grandsons Jay Olson and Justin Olson; 2 great-granddaughters, Siba Knittle and Scarlett Cook. He is also survived by a sister and brother. Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Farrow, four sisters, two brothers, and his parents. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at 3:00 P.M. at the Adel United Methodist Church, Adel, IA on Saturday, July 7, 2018. A private family burial will take place at Oakdale Cemetery. See the extended obituary and to write online condolences at http://www.caldwellparrish.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Adel Methodist Church in his honor or at ADM Alumni Association, P.O. Box 122, Adel, IA 50003, website: http://www.ADMalumni.com. Arrangements are being handled by Caldwell Parrish – McCalley Chapel in Adel.