Bobby Clark Farrar

Captain Bobby C. Farrar, U.S.N., Ret. (AKA "Skipper" to his crews or "Grandaddy" to his Grandsons or "Bobby" to his friends) was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on August 5, 1935. He was raised in Graham, Texas and attended the University of Texas. Capt. Farrar learned about hard work at a young age, roughnecking in the oil fields($1.10/hr) and bailing hay ($.75/hr) in the hot Texas summers working with his high school teammates. He had many 'growing up in Texas stories' like riding the bull ("once and never again!"); learning how to noodle for catfish and instead picking up a snake; and, roadtrips to Bandera, Texas, Mexico and Colorado with his friends. His favorite roadtrip was the Summer when he was 16 when he and six of his friends drove a car and camped in Estes Park, Colorado. Always a perfect gentleman and so fun, Bobby was always laughing, smilling or snorting.

Capt. Farrar received his commission as a Naval Aviator through the Naval Aviation Cadet program. He earned his Masters's in Business at the University of Central Michigan while serving at The Pentagon. He served as Commander of Patrol Squadron Forty, commissioned; commanded Patrol Wing Ten at Moffett Field, CA; and served as Commodore for Wing One and Task Force 72, Patrol and Reconnaissance Forces for the Seventh Fleet, Japan. Captain Farrar within his time as a pilot flew as the aircraft commander in P-5 Seaplanes, P2Vs, and all models of the P-3. He flew the DC-3 and DC-4 throughout the Far East, including Vietnam. As a Vietnam Vet, he flew four different aircraft in Vietnam and Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1970.

Capt. Farrar's personal awards included the Legion of Merit (2), the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medals (3), and various other personal, unit, and campaign awards. He is most proud of his unit awards that reflect credit on the successful combat teams he served with.

Capt. Farrar had many interesting Navy stories, like the time he was in Somalia setting up a detachment by the Red Sea and landed on a goat-filled runway at an isolated abandoned Soviet air base in Berbera. And, then while visiting the US Ambassador in Mogadishu he pointed out a random painting on the wall which was of that exact airstrip and control tower, laughingly said, "We just had a heck of time landing there!" And, just like that the Abassador pulled the painting off the wall and gave it to him. Bobby always found humor in life, even in volatile parts of the world.

Concurrent with his 30 years of Navy service was Bobby's 61-year marriage to Carolyn, raising two children all over the world, and being a role model for his two grandsons. In 1993, after 30 years of Navy service and many moves all over the world with his family, he and his wife moved back to Texas for new adventures, to be closer to family, friends, and his beloved Austin, Texas. In retirement, Bobby loved cruising with his wife especially visiting St. Barths and seeing friends. Bobby's lifetime friendships included his high school buddies from growing up in Graham, his college roommates from the University of Texas, and his "Over-the-hill" Gang at Lost Creek Country Club in Austin. Bobby absolutely loved going to Longhorn football games with his UT roommates and the 19th Hole with the Lost Creek OTH gang. Bobby lived even when he wasn't feeling 100%. In March, he visited the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. In April, he saw old friends and visited his hometown. And in May, he took a lovely boat cruise on Lake Austin with his Grandsons -- driving past Ski Shores, one of his favorite Austin places on the lake, and under the Pennybacker bridge. And, he just loved driving along Texas Country roads and Dirty Martin's hamburgers.

Bobby is predeceased by his father and mother, Rouil Marion Farrar and Dorothy Farrar Graham of Graham, Texas; and, his wife, Carolyn Irene Farrar. He is survived by his son Sean Farrar and wife, Catherine; his daughter, Vale Farrar, and sons, Raleigh Farrar Kelley and Mason Farrar Kelley.

Donations in Bobby's name can be made to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (https://www.fallenheroesfund.org/donate).

A celebration of life is being planned in Austin.

Interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 9:30am.

The service will be live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/2594989