Joel Emmett Farrell

A truly good and kind person, Joel Emmett Farrell, age 65, died unexpectedly and left the life he loved dearly early on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at home in the arms of his wife. He was born March 13, 1949 in Albuquerque New Mexico. Both sides of his family were longtime New Mexico ranch families, one from Clayton, the other Carlsbad.
He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology and completed a Master's degree in Range Conservation. His career was spent in government service primarily for the Bureau of Land Management. His assignments took him to Arizona, Alaska, Utah and he spent many years in New Mexico. Joel was a person of the outdoors. He loved the grand majesty of our country and looked at our resources with an educated understanding of balance between use and preservation. He eventually moved to Socorro, New Mexico where he met the love of his life, Trudy Thompson. Friends set them up on a blind date. On the appointed day Joel patiently waited as he always did, for in true Trudy fashion she arrived close to an hour late. That was the beginning of their beautiful life together. They were married June 12, 1982. Their daughter, Emily, was born on a snowy December evening in Albuquerque in 1984. Elliott followed three and a half years later, a Labor Day Baby.
In 1989 Joel moved his family- wife, two children, two cats, two dogs and a houseful of treasures, including his 1971 blue Bronco-to Farmington to begin his assignment as the Assistant District Manager for Lands and Renewable Resources. He retired from the BLM after over 35 years of service. He then donated his time to various activities such as the San Juan County Museum Association at Salmon Ruins. He was also a site steward for Crow Canyon. He and Trudy became involved with the Anasazi Foundation as support for their daughter's love of live theater arts in the Four Corners. Joel was currently serving as president of the Anasazi Foundation, the community partner to the City of Farmington's Sandstone Productions.
Joel loved animals and was drafted by dedicated animal advocate, Betty Berry, to become part of San Juan Animal League. He has helped with both vaccination and spay/neuter clinics. At the time of his death he was the board president for this dedicated group of animal welfare activists.
Joel was a board member of the Regional Animal Shelter Foundation. He also drove countless Farmington Regional Animal Shelter and Aztec Animal Shelter rescue transfers to areas outside of Farmington. He was dedicated to helping Farmington and San Juan County surplus of homeless pets get another chance at adoption in Colorado and Utah, communities who have been able to stabilize their animal populations. In all his volunteer roles he always showed up when needed and was loved for his dedication and generosity.
Joel was a devoted husband, loving father, amazing big brother, friend, coworker and strong community leader. He and his positive attitude and gentle nature will be truly missed by so many.
In addition to his wife, Trudy, Joel is survived by their daughter, Emily Sledge, and husband of a year and a half, James of Fayetteville Arkansas; son, Elliott of Albuquerque; brother, Richard, and wife, Elba of Carlsbad; his brother-in law, William Thompson, and wife, Rebecca, their son Adam; his mother-in-law, Patricia Rose Thompson, and nieces, nephews and cousins and many dear friends and associates. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Arliss Coble Farrell, and his father-in-law, Robert D. Thompson. His was a life well-lived by a modest and unassuming man of character and compassion.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Joel Farrell Memorial Fund in care of San Juan Animal League, PO Box 142, Farmington, New Mexico 87499.
Cremation will take place and memorial services are Monday, November 10th at 2:00 p.m. at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., in Farmington with Rebecca Morgan officiating.
Joel's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., (505) 325-8688