Ira Milton Fariss, Jr. was born on May 26, 1934 to parents, Ira Milton Fariss, Sr. and Florence Ethel Fields Fariss, on the family farm that was established in 1893 near Leedey, Oklahoma. He attended Leedey Schools and while in high school, he excelled in FFA leadership, raising and showing livestock.

He married his high school sweetheart, Fincel Ferrell Fariss, May 22, 1953. The couple made their home on the family farm, where they farmed and ranched together for more than sixty years. Two children were born into this union, Milton Louis Fariss and Dixie Fariss Arnold.

Ira placed great value on character traits such as honesty, hard work and serving others. He was baptized into Christ at 18 years of age. He was a man who loved God and his family. He served as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon for the Leedey Church of Christ and helped establish the Vici Church of Christ.

Ira and Fincel worked diligently at improving their herd and raising high quality Angus cattle – they received various awards recognizing those efforts. He took the responsibility for stewardship of the land seriously, taking great satisfaction in expanding his farming operations and improving the productivity of the land that he farmed.

Ira understood machinery and frequently invented devices to improve the efficiency of his farming operations. He was intrigued by new technologies. When personal computers became available, he taught himself how to use them and implemented it in the management of his operations. He strove for perfection, whether plowing a straight furrow, improving herd genetics, or a welding bead. He mastered carpentry, wood working and metal working.

Ira was committed to community service, serving many years as board member of USDA's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), Dewey County and Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Leedey Co-op Board, and the Oklahoma Angus Association. He was an officer for the Red Star Water Board and served as a board member for over 28 years.

Ira passed from this life November 21, 2013, at 79 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents Milton and Ethel Fariss, his son Louis Fariss, and sisters Dorothy Jones and Georgie Fariss.

He is survived by his wife Fincel Fariss; daughter Dixie Arnold and her husband Allen; daughter-in-law Cynthia Fariss; five grandchildren, Jordan Arnold and his wife Natalie; Natalie Johnson and Matt; Lexy Proctor and Zeke; Erin Tanner and Jordan; and Lin Zwilling and Jason; three great-grandchildren Kaita Johnson, Reilly Johnson, and Troy Tanner; and a host of family and life-long friends.