Harold Thomas Farr Jr.

Harold Thomas (“Tom”) Farr Jr., age 88, passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2026. Born on October 5, 1937, in Washington, D.C., Tom lived a long, vibrant, and deeply meaningful life—one marked by service, creativity, devotion, humor, and a profound love for the people and animals who shared his world.

Tom is survived by his loving daughter, Laura (Mark Wilcox); his stepdaughter, Laura Bohl; his beloved nieces Marcia (John Hall) and Monika (Mark Thompson); several cousins; and his loyal feline companion, SweetPea. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Appleton; his second wife and soulmate, Evie (Bohl) Farr; and his two sons, Troy and Kenny Farr.

A Childhood on the Water and a Life Rooted in Nature and Adventure

Tom’s early life was shaped by the sun-soaked beaches of Florida, where he spent countless hours swimming, diving, and exploring the coastline. He often joked that he spent so much time in the water he was “starting to grow webs between his toes and fingers.” His love for the outdoors began there—on the sand, in the waves, and under the wide Florida sky.

He excelled in sports, playing basketball and joining the swim team, where his natural comfort in the water made him a standout. His years in the Boy Scouts were especially formative. He earned numerous accolades and developed skills—especially Morse code—that would later open extraordinary doors in his adult life.

A Devoted Father, Husband, and Family Man

Tom was a dedicated father, husband, and family man whose presence was steady, loving, and unwavering. He poured himself into his children’s lives. He coached many of Troy’s baseball teams, and in later years, the two even played soccer together in an IBM league for a season—memories he cherished deeply. He was endlessly proud of Troy, who he always said was the star of the team.

He took his sons, Troy and Kenny, on camping trips, teaching them the outdoor skills he had learned as a boy. And he was always there for his daughter Laura—on the sidelines of soccer games in the cold, the heat, the rain, and everything in between. If she was playing, he was there.

He was also the one who enabled Laura’s lifelong love of horses, proudly buying her first horse and eagerly meeting every new one. One of his favorite stories was the time Laura, recovering from a car accident, somehow convinced him to clean her horse’s hooves and apply Kopertox—despite the risk of staining every piece of clothing he owned. He always said he did it because he loved his daughter.

He was there to lend a helping hand when Troy built his first house and when Laura and Mark began clearing land to build their home, Tom was right beside them, helping “manage” the fire with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything.

Animal Lover

Animals were always woven into the fabric of Tom’s life. In his younger years, while living in Minnesota, he spent countless days hunting with his loyal black Labrador retriever, Fancy—a bond that reflected his deep connection to the outdoors and the animals who shared it with him. As the years passed, his affection shifted toward the quiet, steady companionship of cats. His guardian kitty, Tinker, faithfully joined him on his daily strolls through the backyard sanctuary he so lovingly designed and maintained. In his later and final years, SweetPea became his constant companion, offering comfort, routine, and unconditional love during the peaceful rhythm of his days.

A Backyard Sanctuary

Wherever Tom lived, he created beauty. He loved clearing land, chipping and shredding, and tending to gardens that grew into lush, peaceful sanctuaries. His final backyard was his masterpiece—a tropical oasis with wandering streams, water features, and vibrant flowers. He walked it every day, often dragging family members outside to “feed the mosquitoes,” a joke that became part of his charm.

A Love Story for the Ages

In 1986, Tom met Evie, the love of his life, through the simple purchase of a shed she had for sale. Their connection was instant, and they honored that serendipitous beginning with a shed-shaped cake at their wedding. Their partnership was filled with laughter, creativity, and shared passions.

Both were gifted artists. Their home was adorned with Evie’s beautiful artwork and Tom’s carvings, each piece telling a story of their shared life. They traveled the country together, visiting Civil War and military sites, attending art shows, and capturing their adventures in countless photographs. Their joy in exploring the world together was unmistakable.

When Evie became ill, Tom cared for her with unwavering devotion, sacrificing his own health to ensure she had everything she needed. He often said he would do it all again in a heartbeat. Her passing left him deeply heartbroken, and he carried her memory with him every day.

A Veteran Who Served With Pride

Before becoming a father and artist, Tom served proudly in the United States Navy as a 1st Tech Radioman aboard a P2V Neptune. His Morse code expertise earned him a critical role as a radio tech operator. He flew long missions along the West Coast, tracking Russian submarines and deploying sonobuoys. He loved telling stories of flying for hours over the Pacific, the thrill of locating subs, and the pride he felt when his team successfully tracked them while others lost contact.

His service took him from Alaska to Hawaii, and he carried those memories with him throughout his life. The Navy also opened the door for him to pursue higher education, ultimately earning his Electrical Engineering degree—an achievement that shaped the remarkable career and life that followed.

A Witness to History: Apollo 11

Tom’s technical expertise opened the door to one of the most extraordinary chapters of his life: contributing to the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. At the time, he was working for IBM, which had been contracted by NASA to provide essential hardware, software, and real-time computing support. IBM engineered the Saturn V rocket’s Instrument Unit—the guidance system that helped carry astronauts safely to the Moon—and staffed the Real Time Computer Complex at Mission Control, ensuring accurate navigation, telemetry, and mission oversight.

Although more than 4,000 IBM employees supported the Apollo program, Tom’s work stood out. The communication device he helped develop was used to connect Apollo 11 with Mission Control during the first lunar landing. Because of this contribution, he was invited into the control center to witness, firsthand and in real time, Neil Armstrong’s historic first steps on the Moon.

Tom treasured that experience for the rest of his life. His home was filled with photographs, awards, and mementos from that remarkable moment—quiet reminders of the role he played in one of America’s greatest achievements.

An Artist with a Craftsman’s Soul

Tom remained with IBM for more than 25 years, retiring in 1992. Retirement allowed him to fully devote himself to the passion he had nurtured since childhood: woodcarving. Together with his wife, Evie, he traveled across the United States showing and selling his work. His signature style became whimsical caricature carvings, each one crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Tom approached every piece with care—selecting the right wood, choosing paint or stain with intention, and adding accessories that brought each character to life.

In 1994, he expanded his artistic repertoire by creating limited-edition castings made from his original carvings. He also produced unique commissioned pieces for collectors

who admired his distinctive style. Over the years, Tom’s artistry grew to encompass wood, stone, and alabaster. His carvings—whether small figures or larger sculptural works—reflected his patience, precision, and boundless imagination.

His daughter Laura once “safeguarded” two of his stone pieces—a gargoyle and a reclining woman carved from quartz—during a move. They never found their way back to his house, a fact that always made Tom laugh. He knew his creations had simply found another loving home.

A Life That Touched Many

Tom lived a life rich with purpose, humor, loyalty, love and yes, a little bit of sarcasm. He was a man who showed up—whether for his children, his nieces, his friends, or the animals who depended on him. He created beauty, served his country, loved deeply, and left behind stories that will be told for generations.

He will be missed more than words can express.

Memorial Service

Sunday, May 24th at 2:00 PM Manor Lions Club Event Center 429 W Parsons St, Manor, TX 78653

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. All friends and family are warmly invited to join in celebrating Tom’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.