Jack Leon Farr Sr.

Jack Leon Farr, age 95, passed away from pneumonia on February 24 at the Muskogee V.A. Hospital. Jack was born in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Clinton High School. Near the end of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in several locations including The Presidio, where he was part of the Military Police Force as well as the Honor Guard. He later graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma A&M where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. For over 76 years, Jack was married to the love of his life, Genevieve. She predeceased him in 2022. Their early married life began in Clinton, where they had their three children: Bill, Jack, Jr., and Kathe. They moved to Muskogee in 1954 and immediately became beloved members of the community. Jack and Genevieve liked any kind of get-together where they could meet and enjoy the company of others. The two of them were gracious, hospitable hosts. Jack was a great family man, and he dearly loved Genevieve, their children, and later their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As their children grew up, he served for several years as P.T.A. president, and he always volunteered to help with and support his children’s school and extracurricular activities. Jack was a role model to his children of how they should treat other people. He was also a gentle and loving dad. He grew up with a strong work ethic from his own father. Beginning at age fourteen during the war, Jack helped his dad in the moving and storage business in Clinton by driving the company’s trucks for deliveries. He passed on that work ethic to all his children, who had paper routes and other part-time jobs as they advanced through school. It was of great importance to Jack and Genevieve to provide a college education for each of their three children. Travel was an adventure and joy for Jack and Genevieve. They enjoyed motor trips with their children and grandchildren, and several times during summer vacations they took all four of their grandchildren on fun and educational trips around Oklahoma and surrounding states. Later, Jack and Genevieve became world travelers, visiting six of the seven continents as well as all fifty state capitols. Many people have been touched by Jack’s kindness and service to others. He was a real man and a gentleman. He always made the effort to do the right thing, whatever the cause. He was a lifetime active Rotarian and lived his life by Rotary’s Four-Way Test. In addition, he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and church treasurer during his life as a Presbyterian. Most recently he played a vital role in the transition of the former First Presbyterian and Bethany Presbyterian Churches into what became the Presbyterian Church of Muskogee. Jack delivered Meals on Wheels into his 90’s, and he helped to build ramps for the Ramp It Up program until almost the end of his life. For several years, he served on the board of the Muskogee Housing Authority. Jack’s long career in business included city management, school business management, and the sale and administration of financial and insurance products for individuals and businesses. He served his clients over the years with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Early in his career, Jack became a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) and later taught classes to other insurance agents who were working toward certification. Jack Farr was a remarkable man. As we all say good-bye to him with such sadness, we are reminded of a quote by Thornton Wilder: “The highest tribute to those whom we have loved is not grief but gratitude.” A graveside service honoring Jack’s life will be at 12PM, Friday, March 3, 2023 at Clinton City Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Cranton officiating. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Ramp It Up Ministry Project at Presbyterian Church of Muskogee, 2000 Haskell Blvd., Muskogee, OK 74403.

Jack Leon Farr Sr.

August 30, 1927 - February 24, 2023