Jeffrey Farney, 53, Beloit
Jeffrey James Farney
BELOIT – Jeffrey James Farney was born in Newton, Kansas on June 4, 1970, and adopted by Jim and Donna (Mehl) Farney at the age of three weeks. He was released from the chains of his earthly body and went to his heavenly home on November 3, 2023. As a child he lived on farms at Leon, Kansas and Beloit, Kansas. He loved the farm and the outdoor life. One of Jeff’ s favorite places to be while growing up was on the farm with his Grandad.
His sister Darcy was adopted in 1973. In 1976, his parents divorced, but in 1977 he gained a stepfather, Barry Munsey, and three sisters, Debbie, Pam, and Lisa. They made their home in Beloit. In 1983 his stepmother LaVonne was added to his circle of family.
Jeff was an avid baseball fan. His favorite time of year was from Spring Training to the World Series. He played Cookie baseball in elementary school and was well-known as “ the lefthanded pitcher that no one could hit.” He had an extensive baseball card and memorabilia collection, and no one could challenge his knowledge of baseball statistics.
Jeff graduated from Beloit High School with the class of 1988. He worked at various jobs in Salina and Beloit. When working at Carrico Implement in 1995, he was struck with an autoimmune attack on his spinal cord and became paralyzed from his chest down, also losing some use of his hands.
After spending three months in rehab at Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, he returned to his parent’ s home in Beloit to the beginning of his new way of life.
Because of his great determination to be independent, he was able to return to his own home with the help of some special caregivers and return to work with adaptations that were made for him at Carrico Implement. Further independence came when he was able to purchase his modified van and became competent to drive himself to work and wherever he wanted to go.
He began to work with OCCK to help those with disabilities. This led him to a move to Wichita to work with disability issues in that community. In March of 2003 he started his own company, Complete Access Solutions, a full-service ADA professional consulting firm with a diverse clientele from small businesses to large municipalities to architects and attorneys. He helped many cities, government facilities, and businesses to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in a common sense and affordable way. He also did advocacy work with the legislature to advance or block issues that affect people with health conditions or impairments.
Eventually his body demanded too much attention for him to be able to continue his work. He lived in Wichita with the help of his many friends for several years, but in 2017 he moved to Beloit to be near family members who could be closer to support him with his independent living. He also received tremendous support from caregivers, friends, and the business community in Beloit.
Jeff helped and sponsored many individuals in his 29 years of sobriety and was very dedicated to his work in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Club 86 was his local AA community while in Beloit. He also had many friends in the AA community in Clearwater, Kansas.
Jeff is survived by his parents and stepparents, Jim and LaVonne Farney, Salina; Barry and Donna Munsey, Beloit; sisters, Debbie (Brad) Goss, Olathe; Pam (Tom) Thiessen, Beloit; Lisa (Eric) Dunstan, Beloit; Darcy Higgins (Doug Krier), Beloit; 11 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and 21 greatnieces and nephews who he adored; former wife, B.J. Walters and stepson Ashton, Wichita, his biological brother, Craig Brack, Wichita; and his companion cat, Faith.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 Friday, November 10 at the Beloit First Christian Church & will be livestreamed at www.beloitfcc.org. Visitation will be on Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM with family present from 5-6 PM Thursday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mitchell County Humane Society or Club 86. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com