Richard Lee Farr's Obituary
Born: 01-23-1928 – Dallas, TX Married: 10-16-1954 – Dallas, TX Richard attended Ashier Silversteen Elementary School and transferred to Richard Lagow Elementary in 1938 graduating January 1942. He attended Forest Avenue High School from February 1942 to January 1946. In later years, Forest Avenue High School was renamed to Madison High School. He was a Cadet Lt Col of the Dallas ROTC, Cheer Leader, Junior Rotarian of the Dallas Rotary Club, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dallas Junior Symphony Orchestra. The VJ Day Parade was led by Forest Avenue High School ROTC Cadet Lt Col Richard L. Farr, Commander. He enlisted in the United States Army Infantry on February 16, 1946 in Dallas, TX. He was sent to Basic Training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, attended Officer Candidate School but was reassigned because he was considered too young to become an officer. In September 1946, he was assigned to the 88th Infantry Division in Northern Italy (Udina, Italy). From there, he was assigned to Service Company 349th Infantry Reg. in Garizia, Italy. Next he was assigned to TRUST Garrison Hdqtrs Company, 351st Infantry Reg. and was stationed in Opochina, Italy until he departed for the United States in February 1949 when he received an Honorable Discharge. February 1949 to January 1951 he was a member of the US Army Enlisted Reserve Corp. He attended Trinity University in San Antonio, TX from February 1949 to February 1950. He transferred to Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Mustang Men Choral Group, a Life Member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and a member of The Arnold Air Society. He attended summer camp at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; commissioned 2nd LT, USAF Reserve on June 1, 1954. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from Southern Methodist University in June 1954. On October 16, 1954, he married Miss Beaufer (pronounced Bufer) Nell – “Sally” – Cates of Cooper, TX in Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University with Dr. T. Herbert Minga, Denton District Superintendent of the Methodist Church, officiating. He entered the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt on September 16, 1954 and received his Regular commission as a lst Lt in 1957. He received his Regular commission as a Major on September 16, 1968. He was stationed with his family in Panama City, FL (Tyndall AFB); Hutchinson, KS (Hutchinson Naval Air Station); Houston, TX (Ellington AFB); Minot, N. Dakota (Minot AFB); Wiesbaden, Germany (Hdgtrs USAF Europe) and Oklahoma City, OK (Tinker AFB). His isolated tours of duty (where his family could not join him) were Dhahron, Saudi Arabia and Don Muang Air Force Base, Bangkok, Thailand. While stationed at Minot Air Force Base, he became a member of the M2-Club, a select group of airmen who flew at a speed greater than Mach 2 – twice the speed of sound – having qualified in an Fl06B on 24 June 1965. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Logistics Officer on March 1, 1972 with 23 years of service to his country. While in the service he earned Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert Pistol Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Viet Nam Service Medal with four Battle Service Stars and Republic of Viet Nam Medal and Air Weapons Controller Badge. Richard achieved 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary Dallas Scottish Rite, Free Masonery Golden Trowel, awarded by the Grand Lodge of Texas, on recommendation of his home Lodge. DeMolay Cross of Honor for adult service to the boys in DeMolay. Certificate of Recognition from the State Land Commissioner as Chairman of the Dallas County Veterans Land Board. He attended Interceptor Controller School, Tyndall AFB Staff Supply Officers School – Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Office School, Air Force Institute of Technology, Joint Military Package Training Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX – Graduate work for becoming a License Nursing Home Administrator – State of TX License #3391. He had been a Purchasing Agent for the Dallas County Community College District, the Methodist Hospital, and Dallas County Mental Health & Retardation. He served on the staff of White Rock United Methodist Church for one year while Dr. T. Herbert Minga was Pastor. Richard was Past Commander American Legion Post 581, Dallas, Texas, Cubmaster for three different Packs – Houston, TX, Minot, ND, and Wiesbaden, Germany, Assistant Rhineland Commissioner for the Transatlantic Council – BSA -Germany, Chairman of Boy Scout Troup at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, Member of the Order of the Arrow – Boy Scouts of America, Past Master – Jewel P. Lightfoot Lodge No. 1283 AF & AM, Claude P. Austin Lodge No 1450 AF & AM – a Daylight Lodge, Roy Stanley Lodge No 1367 AF & AM, Dallas Scottish Rite, Chairman Americanism and Education, Committee, Member of the Scottish Rite Stage Crew, Past President – Audie Leon Murphy Chapter 112 National Sojourners, Past Commander – Goliad Camp Heroes of ’76’- National Sojourners, Hella Shrine Temple, Dallas, TX, Member Royal Order of Scotland (9-10-83), DeMolay Cross of Honor, Kansas York Rite Chapter 34 Reno, Council 13 Hutchinson Cmdry 26, Reno, Texas York Rite Chapter 18 Dallas, Council 47 Dallas Cmdry 6, Dallas York Rite, Sovereign College of North American, Red Cross of Constantine, Saint Mark Conclave Dallas, Texas. He volunteered with Healing Hearts Program thirteen years Doctors Hospital, Dallas Texas, Meals On Wheels White Rock Methodist Church 1972 thru 1973, Chairman Dallas County Veterans Land Board, President of the Dallas County Veterans Land Board, member of Military Order of World Wars and Sons of American Revolution. Richard is survived by wife, Beaufer Nell Cates Farr; sister, Margaret Jean Farr; sons, Richard L. Farr, III (Deborah) who lives in Brandon, FL, Andrew Dexter Farr (Melissa) who lives in Lawrenceville, GA, and David Lloyd Farr (Katie) who lives in Sardis, Ellis County, Texas; seven grandchildren, Kathryn Lee Brannon (James), Christina Marie Farr, Daniel Lloyd Farr (Valerie), Samantha Anne Ewer, Russell Lawrence Ewer, Sydney Anne Farr, and Julia Grace Farr; great grandchildren, Abigael Lee Brannon, Colin Geoffrey Ewer, and Leah Jean Farr. Preceded in death by son, Paul Mitchell Farr. Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Monday, January 10, 2011 at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held 2pm on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 1st United Methodist Church in Dallas with Rev. Larry Ravert officiating.
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