Ronald Efford Farrar

Ronald Farrar passed away on December 7, 2018 with his family at his side. He was born in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 1952. He was instilled with a love of the outdoors since his first trip to Yosemite at six months old. He grew up in San Diego where anywhere reachable by bicycle was his playground. He played all sports but was especially adept at cricket and racquetball and a devoted San Diego sports fan.

He became a groundskeeper at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, he turned down a promotion and headed to Humboldt State University setting the rest of his life in motion. There he got his first taste of wildland firefighting with the CDF and after two years, transferred to the USFS. The pinnacle of his career was as the captain of the Helitack crew on the Plumas National Forest.

More importantly at Humboldt, he met Sara. They were blessed with 41 years of marriage and raised a son, Adam. His career moved the family to Seiad Valley, then Santee, then Quincy. After that they followed Sara’s career to Phoenix where he turned another passion into a career as a Master Gardener. After a lifetime on the beach, in the mountains and in his garden, the sun bit him in the ass with melanoma. He battled for nearly five years with his usual strength, determination and positive attitude.

He is survived by wife Sara; son Adam, his wife Colleen; brother Wayne, his wife Toni; sister-in-law Debbi Setterquist, her husband Donn, her son Erik, her granddaughter Mady; and dear friends Frank Jacques, Jim Chatham and Rich McFeely. Private services to be held at home. Condolences may be expressed at almoore-grimshaw.com.