Sidney Bob Farrar's Obituary
Sidney Bob Farrar, 81, was received by his Lord on Saturday, September 5, 2009. He was born June 16, 1928 to Simon Bowden Farrar and Gladys Reynolds Farrar as an only child. A Texas native, he was raised in Oak Cliff, but called the entire State his home. A gifted and accomplished musician, Bob, Sonny or Bobby to some, trained at North Texas State Teacher’s College (now UNT) in their “infant” Jazz Music Lab program. He completed his undergraduate education at SMU as the arranger, manager, and drum major of the famous Mustang Band; including supervising and arranging the first record album of the marching band. He used his trumpeting skills in countless large dance bands from Vermont to Chicago to Florida. He was a member of the music staff at Liberty Broadcasting System and the television staff of CBS Channel 5 in San Antonio. He also was the assistant band director of the 59th Armored Division Texas National Guard. He earned his pilot’s license at Fort Hood during that time as well. Returning to Dallas, Bob married Carolyn Sue Belton of Clinton, Missouri, and they had 3 children. Upon his return, he carved out a career that included founding Commercial Recording Corporation, jingle work at PAMS studio, playing jazz trumpet which introduced him to Henry Mancini and led to a friendship based on film scoring here and in Los Angeles, music composition for the Southern Baptist Convention (including the series “Human Dimensions” and “JOT” – a children’s animated series, along with “The Athletes”). He also wrote for the Baptist Foreign Mission Board. PBS relied on his skills for the series “Lone Star” and “13 Great Artists of the West”. Bob returned to UNT to obtain his masters degree in Radio/TV/Film, receiving high honors. He used those skills to embark on a video career including military, high school, and family reunions; helping weave their tales through his unique and personal interviewing style. Sidney Bob Farrar truly left his mark on his industry, friends and family. Preceded in death by Simon Bowden Farrar, Gladys Reynolds Farrar, Carolyn Sue Farrar, and Stephen Martin Farrar, M.D. Survived by Suzanne Farrar Davidson, R.N. and her children Shannon Carolyn Davidson, Kathryn Suzanne Davidson, and Adam Scott Davidson; Scott Bowden Farrar, D.O. and his wife Mary Susan Farrar, R.N. and step-children Justin Lee Andrews, Sara Elizabeth Roach, and Emily Maria Johnson; and many other family members and friends. Memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in Restland’s Wildwood Chapel, Dallas, TX. (972) 238-7111. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bob’s charities of choice: The Methodist Children’s Home (Waco), Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (Amarillo), and Boy’s Town (Nebraska).
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