Jo Ann Puttler Farrar

Jo Ann Farrar (1939-2017) Jo Ann was born on March 18, 1939 in St. Petersburg Florida to Dr. Simpson Daniel and Josephine Davis Puttler. She was also the older sister of Betty Lee Larson. The family moved to California in her early youth where most of her father’s relatives resided. Jo Ann attended and graduated from the University of Southern California where she met her husband Donald K. Farrar (Don) while playing on an intermural softball team. A coincidental “pop fly” over the pitcher’s mound led to a collision between Don’s best friend Doug Taylor and Jo Ann. While neither were hurt badly, it did open the door for Jo Ann and Don to meet, fall in love and ultimately share a life together of more than 55 years. Education was pivotal in Jo Ann’s vocation as she became an elementary teacher for several years before having four children and spending countless hours working with them on their studies. Don’s career led the family to move back to the east coast for almost 40 years living in “cold country” Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. During that time, Jo Ann made many contacts with Christian Church groups and was helpful with various worthwhile causes including the support of several missionaries, pastors and their families. Jo Ann’s dream of coming back to sunny southern California became a reality back in 2002 when Don and Jo Ann were blessed to move into a beautiful new home with plenty of space for family and friends to stay. Jo Ann named the home “Hallelujah Hotel” to welcome countless Christian ministers and their families as a place for them to relax, unwind, and enjoy a break. In the past few years, Jo Ann loved “planting seeds” when meeting with new people handing out her little red cards with a simple message of hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While she had many favorite Bible Verses – two were prominent – Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” and Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Jo Ann is survived by her four children and their spouses, Daniel and Maryellen Farrar, Donald Scott and Rosemary Farrar, Douglas and Deepa Farrar, Kimberly and Bob Sinnott. She was also the proud Grandmother of 11 grandchildren: Samuel, Ashton, Rachel, Quinton, Joshua, Isaiah, Katherine, Isabella, Clete, Major, and Victoria. She is predeceased by her husband Don, her sister Betty, and her nephew Michael Farrar.