John Robert Farr

John was born in Elkhart, Indiana on July 30, 1947. His parents were Don Robert Farr and Mildred Kelly Farr. When John was 5 years old his dad retired, and moved the family to Americus, Georgia purchasing a Pecan Farm. John developed a great love for the outdoors life on the farm.

John attended Grammar School through 11th grade at Americus High School. His senior year he graduated from Gordon Military College in Blairsville, Georgia in 1965. John always considered himself an Americus High School “Graduate 1965” attending class reunions often.

Johns college years at the University of Georgia he pledged Tdu Delta Fraternity. Among his charter brothers he was known as Sugar Bear. John graduated University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

John was married to Betty Jean Smith Farr of Smithville, Georgia on September 21, 1968. They started life together in Athens, Georgia loving every moment there with John attending the University. John loved the Georgia Bulldogs and Football season. From college John secured a sales position with Shatterproof Glass Corporation and relocated to Huntsville, Alabama traveling the southeast, the company relocated John and his family to Orlando, Florida which opened doors to a new career path and future.

John had made many friends in the Insurance Industry and John began a career with Nationwide Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio. John spent 6 years as an Agent in Orlando, Florida then transferred as a District Manager to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2014 after 40 years in his Nationwide Insurance career. John considered every customer a friend.

John and Betty were living in Port St. Lucie, Florida when John retired, then moved back to Orlando, Florida in 2016 to be near their daughter, son-in-law and grandsons and their son and daughter-in-law in Palmetto, Florida.

John was active in Lake Park Kiwanis Club and served a year as President.

John was a car enthusiast, a trait passed from his dad. Vintage cars, new cars, sports cars, 4 wheelers. John had many automobile throughout his life, the first one a Morris Minor Convertible. He also loved collecting hats, all kinds of hats, sports, Stetsons and visors.

John is survived by Betty Smith Farr; daughter Elizabeth Herndon and grandson Tyler Boone Herndon and Casey Beck Herndon; son Don Robert Farr II and his wife Lisa Werner of Palmetto, FL. John is also survived by many loving and cherished relatives. Brother-in-laws Tom Stephens and Faye Stephens, Augustine Borrero and Sharon Barrero, Lorenzo Scott and Wanda Scott; sister-in-law Brenda Smith and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by parents Don Robert Farr and Mildred Kelly Farr; sisters Donna Hux, Kaye Driscol and brother-in-law Paul Dirscol; Anne Friend ad brother-in-law Jerry Friend; son-in-law Michael Herndon and brother-in-law Phillip Hux.

John loved his loyal friends as family, Stuart Buchannan, James Ruis, Richard Werner, Bill Carther and “2nd son” Jeff Collins.

John lost his faithful companion “Milli Ellen” his Brittany Spaniel in November 2019.

John loved the outdoor life, hunting, camping, riding 4 wheelers especially on his trips out West to New Mexico with Best Friends and family. John loved to cook, grilling up lots of food at home for family get togethers, most especially during the Holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas. When for a number of years we had a full house of people and pets over 3-5 days. Family was an important part of John’s life. John loved taking his grandsons Tyler Herndon and Casey Herndon to his camp exposing them to the outdoor life he so enjoyed.

John and Betty loved traveling together, taking many trips and cruises. Every Fall included a trip through North Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina in the motorhome or car stopping at all their favorite places.

Music was a big part of John’s life. John sang in the choir as a young boy in the Methodist Church and John is leading a choir now singing and dancing “Taking Care of Business” BTO was his morning anthem driving to his Nationwide Office.

John had a favorite quote: The Greatest Gift a Father can give his children is to Love their Mother.

And of course, we know one of his favorite chants: Woof! Woof! Sic Em Dogs!

Johns Legacy

Family

Friends

Faiths

John Farr, my Father, born July 30, 1947, took his last breath and then met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, May 14, 2026. My Dad was the man who shaped me into the man I am.

My Dad was the friend that most would love to have known, whom I was fortunate enough to be able to call Father. We had great adventures together hunting, fishing, boating, riding ATV’s and motorcycles, enjoying classic cars and modern-day sports cars, and just hanging around together whether just the two of us or with my friends who he loved as his own.

From my earliest years I can remember my Dad, JOHN FARR, taking me everywhere he went, be it going to inspect and photograph policyholders’ properties, autos, boats, planes, RV’s, to going to local car dealerships to meet with folks acquiring new vehicles….anything you can think of. We went everywhere together. In my younger years while growing up in Orlando, Dad and his friends, many of which I still call my own, and even one who I call “Father in law”, bought a piece of swap in Volusia County which we call “Bits and Pieces”. I was always taught from an early age by my Dad the importance of gun safety, the skills of pistol shooting and wing shooting, and the skills of hunting, and the camp became the official proving ground for this. This 2 acre parcel of swap was a pivotal part of my upbringing and also shaped several of my friends who likely never would have ever been exposed to, or found a love of the Florida outdoors and the joys of riding an ATV through the central Florida swamplands at the hottest part of the day, wee hours of the night in cold or hot, dry or monsooning. Together we all had the best of times and we could all be there to ride, hunt, shoot, eat, drink, fellowship, and just grow together. I could fill a library with stories of our times just at the camp.

Dad and I spent years boating on the St. Johns river (Welaka, FL) and the waters of Palm Beach County, salt and fresh. Dad was my financier of many of the toys I just had to have for the water from about the age of 16 to 22. He and I were partners on several boats after that. If it sounded fun, he was in. Dad loved boats like I did. We loved the link it always gave us and always would. From ski boats to fishing boats, we had them. Dad loved the water and fun we had with family / friends with the boats. He was known to hop on my Kawasaki X2 and ride out on a whim. A jet ski back then was nothing like they are today, so it was a skill learned by time riding. He had a blast learning. I always had to remind him that the fuel load was not nearly equal to the time he wanted to ride….had to go rescue him a few times when he pushed his luck (fuel mileage)!

I have a vague memory of Dad having a Harley-Davidson Sportster, Orange, don’t remember if it was an 883 or 1200, but it was when I was very young. He never had another street bike until I bought a bike in 2001, a Yamaha FZR 600. Now, he didn’t just jump on the train and buy a bike at that point. I think he waited a few months, four maybe, and then bought a Yamaha Virago 750. We rode together for a while with these and then I realized a super-sport bike was not made to cruise slowly with a street cruiser, and so I got a Yamaha V-Star 650. We cruised all over Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie County together. At some point in late 2002, perhaps November, we came across the house I would later call home in January 2003. Not too long after, he found the house he and my Mom would call home in PSL, some time in that summer if I recall correctly. We both lost the street riding bug in 2004 at some point and sold the bikes. We had a few friends get hurt badly riding on the street and decided we didn’t love it enough to continue. Riding the woods on four wheels was a much safer way.

Dad and I made a few trips to the high desert southwest ( Colorado, New Mexico) to ride ATV’S with friends from time to time. We had incredible journeys riding from the desert floor to the top of mesas and back in one day. Dad loved these rides. He was always blown away that we started off hot as hell in the desert, the as you’re going up it might rain, then hail, then snow, and when you get to the top it might be 34 degrees, sunny, and green like a golf course, or a light blanket of snow melting!

Dad always loved the Lord. He Became more and more vocal of his love of Jesus as his years became more numerous. I remember this same trait in my Grandfather Don Farr as well. Both were not shy to express this all through life. My father’s Love for my Mother was second only to the Lord. He loved and honored my mother until his last breath. They will be reunited in heaven one day. He always believed this.

There are many things I see now that perhaps were not so clear before. Please do not mourn my Father’s death. Please join me in the CELEBRATION of his reuniting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I am now seeing that I could go on forever about the things my father and I did and saw together. I would likely never be able to fully express the love I have for the man. He will live within me forever. He will ride with me forever. I do not want closure. There is nothing to close. He will never be gone to me. I will see him next when I see Jesus. I will feel his presence always.