TEMECULA, CA — Darell Farnbach died Wednesday, March 14, in Temecula after suffering a lengthy illness, his family announced. He was 80 years old.
A fourth generation Temecula resident, he lived in the mountains, the desert, and across the Golden State, his wife Rebecca Farnbach shared over Facebook.
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Though he lived as far north as Alturas, California Darell Farnbach called Temecula home. He co-founded the Temecula Valley Historical Society, was a member of the Riverside County Historical Commission and was a “major player in the development of the Little Temecula History Center,” according to those who knew him best.
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An avid car lover, much of his life revolved around driving, collecting and even naming his business after automobiles. He founded the Pink Cadillac Hair Salon, which featured the front of a 1969 Fleetwood Cadillac as the reception desk, Rebecca Farnbach said.
“He owned about 70 cars in his lifetime,” Rebecca said of her husband.
“Through the years Darell became a close friend to others who enjoyed classic cars, most notably the Drifters Car Club members. A high point in Darell’s life was going with some of the Drifters to drive exotic cars onto the auction block for Mecum Auto Auctions. In 2019 Darell’s red 1972 Mustang Convertible was featured in Mustang Monthly magazine.
“When Darell and Rebecca became empty nesters, they began to advocate for the Vail Headquarters historic site that was threatened with demolition. Darell was a plaintiff in the suit that settled favorably.
“Darell spent many hours each week overseeing the restoration, as well as setting up a small museum called the Little Temecula History Center with others in the Vail Ranch Restoration Association.
“Darell’s faith in God was a guiding force in his life. When Darell was about six years old, he responded to an altar call at a Nazarene Church he attended with his Grandma Farnbach. His heart and behavior were changed after he asked Jesus to come into his life and he never forgot what a difference knowing Christ made in him. Darell specified that old hymns including The Old Rugged Cross be sung at his memorial gathering.
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“The Temecula Chamber of Commerce named the Farnbachs the 2019 Citizen of the Year and in 2021 their names were placed on the Wall of Honor in the Temecula City Hall.”
Farnbach was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Garry. He is survived by his wife Rebecca; sister Donna Reese of Bishop, California; brother Robert Farnbach of Ukiah, California; and stepsiblings Sheila Brooks of Ukiah, California; and David Brooks of Sacramento, California.
He leaves behind his children Todd of Medford, Oregon; Darya of Fairhaven, Vermont; and their spouses, as well as stepson Andrew Marshall of Temecula, California; stepdaughter Abigail Juarez and her husband of Wildomar, California; and grandchildren Terran and Taj Farnbach, and Natalia Kartaszynska, as well as five step-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
“Darell loved Temecula and was proud to have been part of the restoration of Vail Headquarters, but he said his best legacy was his children, which included his stepchildren and grandchildren,” Rebecca Farnbach said. “He was loved by many in the community and will be long remembered, especially by the third-grade students who took bumpy rides in Darell’s Model A at Vail Headquarters during field trips.”
A celebration of his life is planned at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12 at Vail Headquarters in Temecula at 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula.
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