Dr. John Lee Farthing's Obituary
Dr. John Lee Farthing, age 78, of Springdale, Arkansas, passed away on January 8, 2026, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born on March 27, 1947, in Altavista, Virginia, to Albert Edward Farthing and Elizabeth (Adkins) Farthing. He married Norma Greenway Tio on May 28, 2002, in Greene Chapel at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
Growing up in a Maryland suburb of Washington D.C., he developed a liberal arts sensibility that ultimately shaped his life, his love for the humanities, and his passion to share them. He received degrees from the University of Tulsa as well as Duke University (Master of Divinity and PhD). He was a die-hard Blue Devil and was proud to be numbered among the “Cameron Crazies,” even making regular visits to Cameron Indoor Stadium and twice taking a grandson to Coach K Basketball Camp.
Dr. Farthing served as Professor of Religion and Classic Languages at Hendrix College from 1978 to 2009, including teaching Masterworks, a class where faculty could share their love for any art-form. Across the years he shared his love for Bob Dylan, “Les Miserables,” and Roy Orbison, among others. While at Hendrix, Dr. Farthing wrote the $2 million grant that would come to be known as the Hendrix-Lilly Vocations Initiative awarded to the College in 2002.
His students often visited the many United Methodist churches he served while teaching full-time, including Redfield, Plummerville, Mayflower, and Greenbrier. He enjoyed his role as professor-pastor. He mentored many students in religious studies and professional ministry and contributed to the scholarship and community engagement of Hendrix students. He loved collaboration and intellectual discussion, forging lasting relationships with many over the years.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Elizabeth Farthing, and a son, John Lee Farthing II. He is survived by his wife Norma Tio Farthing of Springdale; daughter Rebekah Tio Price, her husband Lance, and two grandsons Landon Price and Layton Price of Fayetteville; a sister, Faye Carter of Radford, Virginia; as well as other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family whom he loved dearly.
For all of those who wish to help the Farthing-Price family, a web link can be accessed here for meals, donations, gift cards, and food deliveries. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/q2r43r.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Hendrix College at https://www.hendrix.edu/makeagift, or to the Dr. John and Norma Tio Farthing Academic Advising Fund at https://uca.edu/go/FarthingFund.
You are invited to a Celebration of Life Service for Dr. John Farthing on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Greene Chapel on the campus of Hendrix College, with a reception following. The Hendrix community will also remember Dr. Farthing during the annual Alumni Memorial Service on Sunday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Greene Chapel, as they recognize those in the Hendrix family who have died during the year.
To leave a tribute, please visit https://www.bernafuneralhomes.com. You may also send messages to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at [email protected], and those will be forwarded to the family.
Arrangements by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.
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