Richard Carl Ferrill

Richard Carl Ferrill, a kind-hearted man known for his sharp wit, infectious humor, and love of family, passed away on October 15, 2024, at the age of 84. Born on May 27, 1940, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Carl and Ellen (Sipes) Ferrill, Richard lived a full and remarkable life enriched by his family, passions, and an enduring curiosity for the world.

Richard spent his formative years in Oklahoma before embarking on a life journey that took him across the country and around the world. He lived in Washington D.C., California, and Oregon, with his favorite place, Monterey, California—a location he cherished for its breathtaking beauty.

A lifelong learner, Richard attended some college, focusing his studies on political science, a subject that would fuel his interest in current affairs and politics throughout his life. These studies would take Richard around the world from Ireland to Africa. He served his country as a linguist in the U.S. Army and Air National Guard, where he mastered multiple languages, including Romanian, which he was able to speak and understand well into his later years.

Richard’s career was as varied as his interests. After leaving the Army, Richard worked in the research department at The Washington Post where he assist a variety of reporters in their article research. While in Washington DC, Richard was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and found himself taking part is several marches. The most notable took him to the Capitol Mall where he was one of the many who stood listening to Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech. Richard later moved to Monterey, California where worked first as a cable TV installer, then worked his way up to sales. Richard eventually retired from the Comcast Cable company as a sales associate in Oregon, however, Richard’s greatest pride and joy came from his family. He often said that his children were his greatest achievement, and he was deeply grateful for the time he spent with them.

Richard had a love for reading and could always be found with a book in hand. His reading tastes spanned genres—from science fiction to biographies—but his favorite topic was World War II history. He also had a deep passion for political discourse and current events, never missing an opportunity to engage in a lively conversation. Beyond his intellectual pursuits, Richard often talked of his time as a child where he would grab his tackle box and take off to the local watering hole to go fishing. Richard continued his interest in fishing and was quick to comment about how it was his favorite hobby.

Those who knew Richard will fondly remember his quick wit, his love of a good dad joke, and his ability to make people laugh and smile, even if it was through a well-timed groan at one of his puns. His sense of humor was ever-present, and he never missed a chance to share a laugh with those around him.

Richard is survived by his loving children, Arlene, Heather, and Tristan, as well as his cherished grandchildren Holly, Samantha (Sam), Jessica (Jay), and Amelia, along with several great-grandchildren.

Richard Carl Ferrill will be dearly missed by his family and friends, but his legacy of kindness, humor, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julee Ferrill; his brother, Ronald Ferrill; and his parents, Carl and Ellen Ferrill.