Allen Waldo Farabee

Dr. A. Waldo Farabee died on September 11, 2011 in Bridgton, ME. Dr. Farabee, a native and long time resident of Ft. Myers, had lived in Maine for the past two years with his wife, Marion Farabee, and he died peacefully in his sleep with his wife of seventy years and his children with him. Dr. Farabee was born in Ft. Myers on June 3, 1918, the oldest son of Dewitt and Edith Farabee. He was educated in Ft. Myers schools, where he was an accomplished musician. Early in his life he became active in Boy Scouting and remained active in various leadership roles with the Boy Scouts for more than 75 years. Inspired by the example of his father's involvement in politics, Dr. Farabee decided to pursue a career in law and politics. In the midst of the Great Depression, with $35 in his pocket, he stood at the foot of Edison Street Bridge and began to hitchhike to the University of Florida, where he became active in campus politics, sports, the university marching band and an active social life. During his time in Gainesville, Dr. Farabee accepted a call to ordained ministry and, after finishing his degree, went north to Yale Divinity School to prepare for ministry in the United Methodist Church. Upon graduation from Yale Divinity School, he returned to Florida to begin a ministry that would span forty years, serving churches from Lakeland to Naples, Punta Gorda, Seminole, Miami, Palatka, St. Petersburg, Ft. Pierce, Miami Springs, Jacksonville Beach and Plant City. He also served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Pensions of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Beginning in college and seminary, Dr. Farabee traveled extensively, organizing tours and leading people throughout the United States and the world. By the time of his death, Dr. Farabee had visited every continent in the world except for Antarctica. In 1979 he received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in New Jersey, with his dissertation on "pre-retirement planning for clergy and spouses." After his retirement, Dr. Farabee and his wife, Marion, lived in Ft. Myers, on South Street in the house his parents had lived in for many years. Surrounded by tropical plants, mango trees, and citrus trees planted by his father, Dr. Farabee continued to be active in retirement. He taught the Welcome Class at First United Methodist Church until he moved to Maine. He continued his long involvement in the Kiwanis Club, eventually serving as lieutenant governor of Florida Kiwanis. Dr. Farabee was active in genealogical research, especially with his own family which encompassed many of the pioneer families of Southwest Florida. He is survived by his wife, Marion Surrency Farabee, his four children, Judith Terra of Washington, DC, Allen Farabee of Buffalo, NY, Rita Bush of Bridgton, ME and David Farabee of Rougemont, NC. He was predeceased by his daughter, Ruth Farabee Clark and her son Jeremy. He is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is survived by two sisters, Lois Kurtz and Irene Crow, both of Ft. Myers and a brother, Maurice Farabee of Blairsville, GA Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Ft. Myers Mission Memorial Fund. Visitation will be on September 23 from 4-7 p.m. at Anderson Patterson Funeral Home, 3654 Palm Beach Blvd, and a funeral serviced of celebration and resurrection will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Ft. Myers on Septembe 24 at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Ft. Myers Cemetery.

Allen Waldo Farabee

June 3, 1918 - September 11, 2011