Robert Farr; Contractor, Community Volunteer

Robert Farr, a general contractor and longtime Ventura County resident, died Monday at his Ventura home, surrounded by his family. He was 79.

Farr was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was raised on a farm in Bellevue, Ohio, and was active in sports, earning a football scholarship to Hillsdale College in Michigan.

Farr spent three years in college before joining the Navy as an aviation cadet in combat training, flying Stearman aircraft during World War II. For three years, he served as officer in charge of the catapult crew on the aircraft carrier Barroko.

While stationed in Norman, Okla., he met his future wife, Ruth. They married on June 14, 1946, in Oklahoma City.

Farr went back to college after the war and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Ohio State University.

Farr began working for his father-in-law’s oil rig building and drilling business and later moved to California, where he worked with Baker Oil Tool Co. in Los Angeles. He was transferred to Ventura in 1951.

As a Ventura resident, Farr became secretary of the YMCA and helped develop the Y-Indian Guides program. He also led groups of boys on Sierra backpacking trips.

Farr obtained a real estate license and spent 20 years working in real estate lending, development and commercial sales.

Later, he obtained a general contracting license and for 26 years operated Farr Construction Co., a general contracting firm that worked on projects throughout the county.

At age 77, Farr obtained a general engineering contracting license. He and his grandson, Jeff Sexton, formed a corporation and worked on many projects.

Farr was a charter member of First United Methodist Church in Ventura and helped organize the Methodist Men’s Group. He was a Sunday school teacher, youth fellowship counselor and church usher. He was also affiliated with the Claremont School of Theology, Project Understanding, Habitat for Humanity and the Downtown Lions Club.

Farr enjoyed many trips with his wife to Europe, Africa and across the United States, including a gold-mining trip to Nome, Alaska. He also attended his 60-year high school reunion in Bellevue, Ohio.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Lynette Moss, Janet Campbell and Marila Cook; brothers Ted Farr and Ben Farr; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Farr was preceded in death by son William Mitchell Farr.

A celebration of life service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Ventura, with a reception following at Trotter Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Claremont School of Theology to continue funding for the Farr Family Endowment for the Library, 1325 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711-3100.

Arrangements are under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura.