Michael James O'Farrell

Michael James O’Farrell, 88, died on August 10, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born in Fremont, OH, on May 5, 1938, Mike came to FSU in 1956, and aside from a brief time in south Florida, lived in Tallahassee for the remainder of his life. He was a proud Seminole, having obtained all three of his degrees at Florida State.

Mike, affectionately known as Dr. Data by his colleagues, worked with the Florida Education Association for several years before joining the staff at the Florida Senate Education Committee in the spring of 1978. He served as Staff Director of the committee until his retirement in 2005, after which he worked with a number of school systems, representing them before the Legislature.

Mike and Nancy were married in December of 1977, and their two sons, Chris and Jim, were born in 1978 and 1982. Life with two sons was a great adventure, even if Mike had to purchase his own catcher’s mask to practice with them in the front yard when they got serious about baseball.

After truly retiring, Mike agreed to begin the travel part of their life, and also the lifelong learning part. As OLLI members, Mike and Nancy joined friends and fellow curious people to expand their learning abroad – traveling both in North America and Europe.

Mike lived with Parkinson’s disease for 13 years and, as travel became too difficult, just being at home with Nancy was enough for him. Their two wonderful sons, by this time adults with families of their own, were very involved with Mike towards the end; Jim even took leave from his job to move in with his parents to help with care.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, James and Jane O’Farrell; brother-in-law Kenneth Macke; sister-in-law Kitty Nix; brother-in-law Darwin Nix; and two nieces and one nephew. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his daughter, Shannon; his son, Chris (Allison); his son Jim; his beloved grandchildren, Colin and Ava O’Farrell, and Jimmy Sellers; his sister, Kathy Macke; and his dog, Trudy. In addition, he is survived by Nancy’s large family, all of whom counted him as one of them; many nieces and nephews; and a large group of grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Family and friends are invited to join us for a gathering to celebrate Mike on August 27, 2026, at Kool Beanz café in Tallahassee, 921 Thomasville Road, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Please bring a memory to share.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida State University, in gratitude for the wonderful friends, exciting trips, and thought-provoking classes Mike enjoyed immensely. Online at olli.fsu.edu, Ways to Give Back.