Jack Farley and Linda James

Celebrating the Working People of Oklahoma

Jack Farley, 1948 - 2014,  is being honored posthumously
Oklahoma City
Nominated by Wilfred Santos-Rivera

Jack Farley was a man who spent his life helping others. He died in October, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of service to his community.

Jack Farley

Jackie Leroy Farley was born in 1948 to Joe Bob and Olga Oleta Farley in Tipton, Oklahoma. After graduating from Tipton High School and the University of Oklahoma, Jack served a stint in the U.S. Navy. He and his wife, Linda James, owned L.L. James Advertising in Oklahoma City. He also operated newspapers in Okemah and Piedmont. Jack was a member of the Graphic Communications Council / International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Jack has spent his life working tirelessly to help other people. He saw his union activism as a form of service to his community. He promoted labor unions throughout the state and nation. He marched in picket lines. He also helped people with the Lung Association, United Way, and even the local food drive in Oklahoma City, along with numerous others. He was named the Veteran of the Year by the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Friends who knew him have no doubt that Jack Farley embraced and upheld the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was expressed most clearly by Jack's sympathy for the plight of the worker. He believed that everyone has the right to freely choose their employment. He also believed that every worker is entitled to just and favorable conditions of work.

Jack Farley used his skills as a graphic designer and a union printer to support himself, his family, and his community.

Jack is survived by his wife of many years, Linda James, who is also being recognized by this award. 

Linda and Jack

Linda writes, "Once Jack and I met, we were inseparable. We lived together and worked together up until his passing. What he did, I did."

She mentions the support they have given to the Oklahoma Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, the Food Bank, as well as various other organizations.

As a couple, Jack and Linda were honored with the Legends of Labor Award given by the Central Oklahoma Labor Federation in May, 2015.

Linda is continuing to support Oklahomans in their fight for the human rights that are inherent to all human beings, whatever their nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status -- the rights we are all equally entitled to without discrimination.

She celebrates the working people of Oklahoma every day.

On December 10th, the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance will honor human rights heroes from around our great state. A recognition program will take place at the State Capitol. Linda James will be among those to be recognized, along with her late husband. More information about the program can be found here: "Celebrate Human Rights."

"Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work."
--From Article 23 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights