Henry Joseph Farr's Obituary
On March 20, 2003, Henry Joseph Farr passed away peacefully. He was a dear friend, loved and honored by all that knew him. He was born on December 16, 1917 in Cavite, Philippines to William Clarence Farr and Maria Guadalupe Pelimiano. US Navy Contractors employed him at Pacific Naval Air Base at Sangley Point, Cavite Navy Yard, P.I. He did various jobs there to help him put himself through college at the Far Eastern University and received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce. When the Japanese invaded the Philippine Islands, he joined the Contractors to help maintain the Cabcaben Air Field after the bombing raid at Bataan in 1942. He was able to escape to Corregidor with his father when Bataan fell into Japanese forces. There he was captured when the U.S. Armed Forces surrendered in May 1942. Because he and his father were both armed and with the US Armed Forces, they were considered by the Japanese as military prisoners, therefore subject to be treated the same as the other captured US Military personnel instead of as civilian internees. In 1945, Henry Farr was taken from Corregidor to Cabanatuan then taken to Sendai, Japan where he was liberated with the other surviving US Military personnel at the end of the war. He joined the US Army in 1946 and served actively in the Finance Corp until 1970 when he retired out of Fort Lewis, WA. He continued working for Pierce County, then State of Washington Auditors Office. He concluded his career as the Finance Director for the city of Auburn. He was also a great service to the community. He strongly believed in the creed; Â"When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are in the service of your God.Â" He was President of the Washington State Employee Association. He helped establish a credit union for the employees of the City of Auburn. His financial expertise also helped establish many organizations for the young men and women of our community. He furthered the growth of VITA/TCE during tax season. He served as Treasurer of Curtis High School Booster Club, Lakewood Community Center Association (LCCA), Ex-POW Organization, Philippine American Youth Organization (PAYO). He is survived by his wife, Aiko Farr; his four children, Henry Joseph, Jr., Norma L. Wright, Audra G. Keele, Maria S. Matlock. His sisters Mary Abreu of CA; Sophie Ball of, CA; Eleanor Martinez of CA; Elizabeth Mondulick of PA. His grandchildren; Walter Pierce, Jr., Bronson Farr, Kayla Matlock, Gabrielle Matlock, Teancum Keele, Marin Keele, Sophia Keele. His great- grandchildren; Caleb Pierce, Layla Pierce and Jesse Pierce. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Ex-POW Scholarship fund. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 26, and Thursday, March 27 from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Mt. View Funeral Home. Memorial service will be on Friday, March 28, at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel at 4219 Beckonridge Drive W., University Place, 98466. Interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 28, at 18600 SE 240th St. Kent, WA 98042.
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