- Date Of Birth: June 24, 1964
- Date Of Death: September 29, 2018
- State: Iowa
Jeff Farrar passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest the evening of Sept. 29, 2018, in Okoboji, IA surrounded by and cared for by multiple friends and family members. Jeff was born on June 24, 1964, in Omaha, NE to his parents, Terrie and Don Farrar.
His Childhood was somewhat tumultuous, with him and his siblings, Kelli and Brad, frequently moving and starting anew in multiple schools and locales. Jeff quickly charmed those in his various schools and neighborhoods as he learned to adapt and survive during the crazy 60s and 70s. Much of his easy charm and earnest desire to please can be credited to the support and guidance of his steadfast and loving grandparents, Mary Delle and Ed Bradley, who, having a love for Okoboji, built their dream summer home on the east shore of West Lake. Throughout all, Jeff and his family had the “rock” of the lake house and summers at Okoboji – anchoring and keeping family ties close. Jeff and his siblings spent idyllic summers at Okoboji swimming, fishing, diving, exploring, sailing, etc.; and he built life-long relationships with the other children growing up along what was aptly named: “Peanut Butter Beach.” No surprise, his was a lasting love of the area, especially when he met his wife and only true love, Trish Holtzen, at the Emporium in 1990. Trish & Jeff were married on the lake house deck overlooking the blue Okoboji waters on August 8, 1992.
Jeff lived in Omaha, NE through his high school and college years and worked at the family business there, eventually taking the reins of Bradleys Flowers when his grandmother retired in 1997. After their marriage, Jeff & Trish lived in Omaha for a few more years, but Okoboji was calling. After starting their family in 2005 with the birth of their twins, Audrey Jane and Caroline Bradley, they moved to the lakes area permanently in 2007. Jeff always respected the lake and his natural surroundings – even helping turtles to cross the street, or going out of his way to pick up cans and trash from the lake as he boated. (He didn’t much love the neighborhood turkeys though) Jeff enjoyed life. Just a few of his stand-out interests and loves were, in no particular order: Hot Wheels collecting, technology: particularly Apple or I-anything, Boating in the Donzi or Whaler with his family, the lower deck of the lake house, Budweiser, American and family history, Otis (his faithful feline companion), Cheeseburgers, COLD deviled eggs, sea-salt caramel truffles, Freemasonry, and MUSIC! Jeff was a true audiophile, lovingly and passionately collecting and playing the music of all genres and eras, especially favoring “The Beatles”. He recently completed a renovated space in his basement, dubbed the “Vinyl Room”; complete with hundreds of LPs, Cds, and a sound system that was the envy of all his friends. He didn’t miss a single concert by Paul McCartney or Tom Petty when they performed in the Midwest. But the things he prized most weren’t made of vinyl; the MOST important to him was God’s gifts of his two precious children: Audrey and Caroline; and his wife, Trish. When Caroline was born with Down Syndrome and a heart condition, Jeff was the most loving and helpful partner that Trish could ever have asked for. He was always there to take Caroline to her multiple doctor’s appointments and therapies. He stepped in to do all the things that actually “grossed” Trish out, such as replacing her NG tube or her stomach MIC-KEY if it popped out at school. He loved attending and watching Caroline compete in Special Olympics and seeing her infectious smile! He doted on Audrey as well. Recently, he secretly restored his own childhood 13-foot Whaler. Jeff couldn’t wait to teach Audrey to drive it and get her boater’s license. He presented it to her as a gift after keeping it a secret in the garage for almost a year! He was so proud of her and encouraged her as she skippered her own X boat, “THIRTY wONdErful”, for the 2018 season, her first-ever!
Jeff was a member of the Twilight Masonic Lodge in Spirit Lake Iowa, a member of the Estherville York Rite Bodies, and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Sioux City Consistory. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Okoboji Yacht Club and the Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing School.
Jeff is survived by his daughters, Caroline and Audrey; his wife, Trish Farrar; his brother, Brad Farrar of Okoboji; his sister, Kelli Farrar (Dave Larsen) of Spencer; and his father, Don Farrar (Maria) of Ft Worth, TX. Jeff is preceded in death by; his mother, Terrie L. Farrar; his Grandmother, “Kamma” Mary Delle Bradley; and his Grandfather, “Kampa” Edward L. Bradley.
