Philip F. Farha

Philip F. Farha of Wichita, born May 15, 1919 in Lebanon, passed away in his sleep Thursday, March 2, 2006. The youngest of eight children, Phil moved to Wichita in 1921 with his mother and siblings. He graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in business administration. During World War II, Phil served as a captain in the U.S. Air Forces Finance Department. In Wichita, Phil also partnered with his four brothers, founding a local grocery store chain - appropriately called Farha Brothers Super Markets - and FE Wholesale food distributors. After serving as the operating manager of the eight Farha Brothers locations, Phil began to pursue real estate investments in Wichita and with B.D. Eddie Enterprises in his wifes hometown of Oklahoma City. Praised for his business acumen, Phil was a member of the Board of Directors at First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Wichita, as well as Citizens National Bank, and Liberty National Bank and Trust Company in Oklahoma City. He was also an active alumnus of Wichita State University, serving on the Board of Trustees and the National Advisory Council. Though always humble and private, Phils self-proclaimed greatest source of pride was his “five-and-ten” - five children and 10 grandchildren - with whom he always cherished time spent together. Phil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gloria Eddie Farha of Wichita; daughter Paula Farha of Petaluma, CA; daughter Toni Colyer of Paradise Valley, AZ; son B.D. Eddie Farha of Washington, DC; daughter Marti Farha Ammar of Beirut, Lebanon; and son and daughter-in-law Clay and Jamie Farha of Oklahoma City. Phil is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: James Colyer III, Alex S. Ammar; Kelli Colyer Lieurance; Chad Ammar; Christopher Colyer, Kami Colyer, Leann Farha, Philip Farha, Clint Farha and Christine Farha. Trisagion and funeral service 7 p.m., Thursday, March 9, St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral (7515 E. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67206). Interment 11 a.m., Friday, March 10, Old Mission Mausoleum (3424 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67208). Memorials may be sent to the Gloria and Philip Farha Endowed Scholarship at Student Support Services, Wichita State University (1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260); and St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.