Ronald A. “Ron” Farnell, who founded the Everett Youth League and coached Everett children in baseball and CYO basketball for years, died at home on September 26 with his family around him. He was 89. His family is planning a Celebration of Life in Everett in the spring of 2027.
He was born in Georgetown, one of the 17 children of Annie Buckley and Harold Farnell, grew up in Somerville and lived in Everett for 60 years. To many in Everett he was Mr. Farnell. The Everett Youth League he started was a baseball league for ages 9 to 12, and he also coached boys’ and girls’ CYO basketball. He worked on local campaigns and was a regular at city meetings. The City Council and the mayor honored him on his 80th birthday in 2016 with a citation naming him “Everyone’s Favorite Coach,” and in 2019 the mayor gave him a key to the city.
He served in the Army National Guard, sold advertising for the Record American, and spent most of his career in the advertising department at Wilmington Ford. He and his wife, Judy, moved from Everett to Naples, Florida, and later to Salt Lake City to be near family.
He leaves his wife, Judith Ann Farnell; his daughter, Sharon Lombardo, and her husband, Thomas; his son, Rick Farnell, and Rick’s wife, Alix; grandchildren Olivia, with her husband, Anthony, and Ross, Taylor and Jake; and a great-granddaughter. His son Ronnie Farnell died before him. Wake services and a funeral Mass were held October 2 and 3 in Millcreek and Holladay, Utah.
Compiled from information published by Memorial Millcreek Mortuary, Millcreek, Utah. Photograph courtesy of the family via Memorial Millcreek Mortuary. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.