Richard Abbott Farrar, age 89 of Lanett, passed away after midnight on Thursday, February 18, 2016. He had spent the previous morning on the golf course with friends and had enjoyed a big lunch. He was born on Wednesday, March 17, 1926. Being born on St. Patrick’s Day, afforded him a life blessed by the “luck of the Irish”. This was never truer when he met and later married Jane Kelley on January 22, 1954, a marriage that would last 59 years. He and Jane were members of Fredonia United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Lewis and Sally; his brothers James, Ed, and Henry; sister Merle; and beloved wife, Jane. He is survived by his sister, Joy and husband Bennie; his three sons: Kelley and wife, Sharron; Michael and wife, Teresa; and Joseph and one blessed grandchild, Taylor-Jane.

 

He Joined the U.S. Navy after Pearl Harbor and served as a gunner’s mate on destroyers and was in amphibious forces, seeing action to include the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines which cleared the path to Tokyo and eventual victory. He remained in the service as part of the Underwater Demolition Team, the unit that would eventually become the Navy SEALS, and took part in the Korean War from the “first shot to the last shot” as he would say.

 

In civilian life, he worked in Textiles, continuously for West Point Pepperell. He was sent to various countries including Brazil, Switzerland, and Japan on missions to evaluate new machinery and was instrumental in placing the latest technology into production at his home plant in Fairfax. He retired in the early 90’s as an overseer of change and repair in the weave room. Post retirement, he and Jane spent 22 years, seasonally, on West Point Lake as park attendants. A position he loved almost as much as playing golf in his spare time, as a member of the Riverside Country Club for over 40 years.