Paul "PT" Thomas Farley, a lifelong Athens resident, died Sept. 17, 2026, at The Laurels of Athens, according to his obituary. He was 98, having been born in the city on Jan. 2, 1928, to the late John T. Farley and Bertine Everett Farley.
After attending Athens High School, Farley graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He later served the university as Director of Utilities Maintenance and Energy Management before retiring. For a number of years he also ran the Wash-A-Teria on University Terrace, and he spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Athens City Fire Department.
His Army service ran from 1949 to 1950, a period in which, the obituary states, he helped operate the ENIAC computer, described there as the first programmable, general-purpose electronic digital computer.
Farley belonged to St. Paul's Catholic Church and held third- and fourth-degree Knights of Columbus membership, along with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Symposiarch. He liked fishing trips to Canada.
Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The family expressed thanks to staff at O'Bleness Hospital, The Laurels of Athens, Athens County EMS and Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, College and Mill streets, with Father Jeremiah Hahn officiating, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home. American Legion K.T. Crossen Post 21 and VFW Post 9896 honor guards will provide military rites at the cemetery. Memorials may go to a charity of the donor's choice.