Col. Ray Farley

Col. Farley began his career in Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in 1955 in Beaumont at the Beaumont Downtown Optimist CAP. His love for CAP was beyond anything else. His love at that time was communications and would get together with several members to build radios with Heathkits. At that time as a senior member the Commander, Col. Ross Ewart got an old laundry van donated to the squadron. Ray took on the task to build the first mobile communication van that would go anywhere and everywhere. He loved that van and made built-in cabinets to house each and every radio. After going through the ranks of warrant officer to Major then he took over the Beaumont Squadron in 1975-1982. In 1970 Ray became a private pilot which added more responsibility and doing more search and rescue. During this time a Medical Flight was added to our group headed by Dr. Leonard Greene which became a big asset to our Squadron and Group. Dr. Greene was heading up helping organize the first Emergency Medical Technician class ever held in 1974. Ray and I both were certified as EMT’s and organized Practice SAR tests to include medical attention given on the scene to help save lives.
In August 1982 Col. George R. Way was Texas Wing Commander. We hosted the largest SAC Eval in Beaumont with over 40 planes attending. And to follow up we hosted the Texas Wing Conference in October 1982 in Beaumont. Texas where Lt. Col. Ray Farley would become the Group XI commander. Lt. Col. Farley served 10 years as Group XI Commander until1992.
In 1993, Col. Orlan Scott, the new Wing Commander appointed Lt. Col. Farley to the position of Director of the Counter Drug Program serving on the Texas Wing Staff. His wife, Major Claudia D. Farley would serve as his assistant on the program. In December, 1993 Lt. Col. Farley was asked to be the new Vice-Commander of Texas Wing. Which he served in that capacity until November 1996 where he took over the position as Texas Wing Commander. It was a pleasure for him to serve with such a wonderful staff. He was a proud commander to a great to a great wing. And in 1998 Texas Wing was credited with flying over 10,000 hours for search and rescue as well as for DEA and Customs. Also that year we hosted the Texas Wing Conference in Dallas, Texas. It was a conference that broke all records. We had 504 people attending and registering for the conference as well as 504 attending the banquet.
Col. Ray Farley retired in March 2000 with 45 years of service. He was proud of the many achievements and accomplishments he had made during his time as commander. He served with pride to be the Wing commander and loved working with all the members and staff.
Besides being in CAP he worked full time as an operator at the DuPont refinery. He served as Capt. On the Fire Brigade as an instructor and went to Reno, Nevada and Lamar University and Texas A&M University for fire training. He also completed another round of EMT training and was recertified and was also an instructor.
Col. Ray Farley passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the Forever Young Nursing Home and will rest in peace. Due to the COVID there will be no funeral service and a memorial will be at a later date.