Richard Warren Farrington, 66, Postville, Iowa, died on Monday, June 28, 2021, at his home in Postville, Iowa. Richard was born on September 6, 1954 in Lansing, Michigan to Donald Ray and Charlotte (Anne) Roberts Farrington.
Yeoman First Class
Richard W. Farrington
United States Navy
For more than 20 years of faithful and honorable service, Richard enjoyed many varied assignments during his outstanding career. Following a three-year tour overseas with Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, he enlisted in 1974 in the Navy and, after basic training, was assigned to Commander, Submarine Forces, Atlantic Fleet. Follow-on tours included Naval Reserve Centers in South Bend, Indiana and Topeka, Kansas and assignment as Flag Yeoman to Commander, Reserve Naval Construction Force. In October 1989, Richard reported to Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region Eighteen for duty in the Manpower Department and in November, 1992, was appointed as Administrative Supervisor for Naval Reserve Fleet Hospital Twenty-Two during Desert Storm.
His shadow box displays service ribbons that include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Navy 
Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Navy Expert Rifle Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Medal.
Following retirement, while working as a Youth Behavior Specialist at the Ozanam Campus in Kansas City, Missouri, Richard graduated from Longview Community College with high honors in the field of Criminal Justice. His time at Ozanam was dedicated to working with children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems. He gave kids confidence and helped make them into productive, self-maintaining members of society who can be successful in the community in which we all live.
Of the many things integral to Richard’s life were family, friends, baseball, bbq, neighborhood 4th of July firework demos and good music. While smoking a brisket, he’d smile as he described memories of seeing bands like the Moody Blues and Deep Purple in the 1970’s during his deployment in Europe. The one thing he never came up short on was his witty sense of humor. But even in humor, there were intrinsic undertones of wisdom that could only come from a life well lived. “Do the right thing — especially when no one is watching..”
His devotion, loyalty and dedication to duty throughout his career brought great credit to himself, his command and the United States Navy. With a hearty and sincere “well done”, we bid farewell to an outstanding shipmate and wish him “fair winds and following seas”.
Survivors include his wife, Connie Schlee Farrington, Postville and two children, Matthew Farrington and Jennifer Farrington (fiancé, Richard Valdez), all of
San Diego, CA; his siblings, Don Farrington, Bill (Sherry) Farrington, Bob Farrington, Cathy (Dale) Munger, Tom (Caroll) Farrington, Scott (Kim) Berg and many other family and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will take place at 7:00 pm on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Postville Cemetery in Postville, Iowa with Deacon Patrick Malanaphy as the officiant.
Schutte – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.