Ray R. Farha

Ray R. Farha, 92, business man and life-long Wichita resident passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015. Born October 22, 1922 to N.S. and Rose Farha, they were a part of the many Lebanese immigrants that settled in Wichita. Ray grew up with his older brother, Bus, and his 2 sisters, Florence and Joan. They were early members of St. George Orthodox Church. Over the years he served on the board, worked on the annual Lebanese dinner, and was one of the many church members who worked to help the church grow into what it is today, St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. He was a graduate of Wichita North High School. Ray proudly served in the Army Air Force during World War II and always enjoyed sharing his many army stories with us. In 1949, he married his true love, Nahia Cohlmia, and they were blessed to spend 65 years together. They had four children, Denise, Danny, Joy, and Jane, and now have eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. His family was truly his life. He so enjoyed being a part of whatever they were involved in. Having grown up an athlete, he passed on his love of sports to his family. He was a devoted golfer with two hole-in-ones to his credit. Ray learned the value of hard work when he began selling newspapers at the age of eight in downtown Wichita to help his family. His early business years were spent with his brother, Bus, in the grocery business. From there, he and Nahia owned Farha Liquor Store on South Oliver for 30 years. At the same time they started Ray Sales Company which has been in business for over 50 years. Being raised during the Depression, he had great empathy for people who were struggling. That kindness toward people was returned ten-fold by his many customers at Ray Sale Company. During his illness people came in everyday to tell us that they were praying for him and hoping to see him at the store again. Then they would share their stories of how Ray had helped and encouraged them. Ray was a true optimist, always with a smile and a kind word. He loved his wife, his family, his God and Church, his country, his golfing and card-playing buddies, traveling and watching his grandkids play sports. He loved life and his was well-lived. Ray was preceded in death by his parents N.S. and Rose Farha; brother and sister-in-law, Bus and Ruth Farha; sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Frank Vandervort; sister, Joan Razook. Ray is survived by his wife, Nahia; children, Denise (Rusty) Johnston, Danny (Shelly) Farha, Joy Farha, Jane (Mark) Mosley; brothers-in-law, Farris Razook, A. Lee (Doris) Cohlmia, Jerry (Catherine) Cohlmia; sister-in-law, Joyce (Ernest) Shadid; grandchildren, Spencer (Amber) Farha, Garret (Amber) Farha, Kelsey (Jason) Abitz, Benjamin, Joseph, John Mark, Anna and Emma Mosley; great-grandchildren, Macon, Jaden, and Carson Farha, Grayson, Baron, and Nash Farha, Addison, Ellie, and Callan Abitz. The family would like to thank his caregivers for their kindness and care in making each day a little easier for Ray. Trisagion and Funeral Service will be at 7:00 P.M., Monday, August 17, 2015, at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. Burial service will be at Old Mission Cemetery at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Memorials have been established with St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206 and Christ the Savior Academy, 7515 E 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206. Downing and Lahey Mortuary East.