A memorial service celebrating the life of Jim Lee Farr will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Blue Starr Church of Christ, under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Jim passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014. He was 65.
Born November 17, 1948 in Claremore, to Flovin W. and Norma Paulene (Teegarden) Farr, Jim was reared and educated in his birth community, graduating from Claremore High School with the class of 1967. Jim joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during the Vietnam War. During this time, Jim was involved in many combat missions. He received the Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge, Jim returned to the States and served at the NATO Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. On May 27, 1972, Jim married Janet Elaine Faught. The couple made their home in Broken Arrow for a time before moving to Claremore. In 2008 the Farrs moved to Kansas, Oklahoma.
Jim was trained as a welder and worked as a machinist, learning through hands on experience the art of tool and die making. He worked with several different companies before running a home machine shop. When time allowed, Jim enjoyed hunting and traveling, with his most favorite destination being Utah. Riding his 4-wheeler or driving his Jeep were his favorite pastimes. He treasured his grandchildren and was always ready to give them rides in Big Red or listen to their stories.
Jim was known for his down-to-earth sense of humor, his beard, his stubborness, his love of family and his incredible faith. "Pops" as he was known to his grandchildren, easily won the affection of those he encountered with his friendly demeanor and down-home personality. For Jim, heaven might be a heavily wooded hill with deer, squirrels and a beloved "stupid dog." A loyal husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, he will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Janet of their home in Kansas, Okla.; daughters Jennifer Arra Esau and husband Andy, and Andrea Leigh Myers and husband Jackson, all of Claremore; grandchildren Claire Alise Esau, Lillian Paulene Myers, Isabelle Arra Esau, Nicholas Ford Karmann and Quentin Girod Myers; brother John Henry Farr and wife Linda; sisters-in-law Carol Hayes and David of Lufkin, Texas; Mary June Faught of Claremore; and daughter-in-law Courtney Karmann of Rolla, Mo.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and best friend, Bob Hale. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his infant daughter Jamie Alice Farr, his mother and father-in-law, Cleon and Virginia Faught, and brother-in-law Stan Faught.
In lieu of flowers or other condolences, please consider sending a donation in Jim’s name to the Disabled American Veterans, 801 W. Dupont Street, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.