Donald Herbert "Don" Farrington

Donald Herbert Farrington, 86, a lifelong Battle Creek resident got his first glimpse of Heaven on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Don's family extends their gratitude for the care he received from the team at Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

Don was born January 29, 1935 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Herbert Ross and Mildred Viola (Long) Farrington. Don attended Post Elementary, Southeastern Junior High and was a 1953 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Don began his career with the Kellogg Company even before completing high school. In 1990, after 37 years, he retired as a machinist in the skilled trades.

While attending youth fellowship at the First Congregational Church, Don met the girl he was destined to marry. Donald Herbert Farrington married Patricia Esther Beamish in the Miller Chapel at the First Congregational Church on June 13, 1954. Surviving Don are Pat, his wife of 66+ years; four children, Pamela (Rick) Foster of Richland, Julie (Rod) Blaine of Kettering, OH, Thomas Farrington of Richland, Jeffrey Farrington of Los Angeles, CA; nine grandchildren, Benjamin (Nicole) Bruinekool, Brooke (Jarrod) Heck, Allison (Ryan) Mayle, Lauren (Kyle) Harris, Austin Blaine, Joseph Farrington, Claire Farrington, Samuel Farrington; granddaughter-in-law, Rebecca Bruinekool; eight great-grandchildren, Myles, Jillian, Stella, Koa and Kalea Bruinekool, Andrew and Adeline Heck, and Briella Harris. Don was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, and a grandson, Tyler Bruinekool.

Don was proud to be a member of the Battle Creek Central HS Baseball State Championship Team that was undefeated three years in a row. He loved coaching Pennfield Recreational and City League (Village Inn) youth baseball teams. Don and Pat enjoyed hosting Stan Musial Amateur World Series teams for many years and Don was inducted into the BCAASA Wall of Fame in 2005. He was a former member of the First Congregational Church and a member and Elder at Pennfield Presbyterian Church. Don was an avid golfer and carded three hole-in-ones. He was a member at Oakland Hills and later at the Medalist Golf Course. Don loved spending time with his family and he and Pat proudly attended countless sporting and dance events, theater productions and academic ceremonies. Don's legacy will live on through the re-telling of the many stories that he shared with anyone lucky enough to lend an ear.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, a celebration of Don's life will be held later when it is safe for his family and friends to be together and honor his life. Don will be interred on his family lot at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Don's memory may be made to Hospice Care of S.W. Michigan, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or Pennfield Presbyterian Church, 7979 St. Marys Lake Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family or personal remembrances of Don may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.