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Portrait of James L. Farrell
VETERAN
Retd. Deputy Sheriff

James L. Farrell

September 22, 1955 – March 8, 2024
Lived 68 years
Gilroy, California
In service to country

Thank you for your service

James served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

On March 8th, 2024, the world lost a wonderful human. At 2100 that evening, James L. Farrell, passed away surrounded by family.

He worked with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office for just shy of 40 years, touching lives, changing perspectives and collecting stories to tell whenever the moment arose. He will forever be remembered for his boisterous laugh and his penchant for mischief.

If you needed ANYTHING he was the guy to call, because it didn't matter what time of day, rain, sleet or snow, he would drop everything to come help however he could. Even if all he could do was sit with you and commiserate or maybe lighten the mood.

His is hardly a case of "gone too soon", because with a life as well lived as his how can that be so. Yet its entirely fitting because he still had so much he wanted to contribute. Always wondering what more he could have done, despite having divided/shared his time so freely.

Along with the Sheriff's Office he spent many years on the Deputy Cliff Rescue Team and as an Advisor for Explorer Post #830 Search and Rescue explorers. He was the BAMRU liaison and an OES Law Liaison, along with several other titles that may have been missed, and all while still being there for his children. Firm, but understanding. Teaching to be kind and capable, to hope for the best and plan for the worst. Most of all he taught us to think for ourselves, though he sometimes regretted how well we learned our lessons.

He is survived by his Wife of 29 years, Traci, two daughters, Kaila and Kulani(Kat) and two granddaughters, Scarlette and Lilith. He is also survived by two sisters, Yvonne and Teri, and three brothers, David, Bill and John. In addition to so many who loved him.

Lifetime

The world James knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1955
Born September 22
1956
James was 1 when the Interstate Highway System was created
1967
James was 12 when the first Super Bowl was played
1975
James was 20 when Saigon fell, ending the Vietnam War
1982
James was 27 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" opened in theaters
1991
James was 36 when the Soviet Union dissolved
1994
Married Traci
1995
Parenthood- Kaila
2000
Parenthood- Kulani
2001
James was 46 when Apple introduced the iPod
2012
Retired San Mateo Sheriff's Office
2014
James was 59 when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral
2017
Became a Grumpa
2022
James was 67 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2024
Passed away March 8, age 68
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