Danny M. Farrar's Obituary
Danny M. Farrar, 67, of Springdale, Arkansas, passed away on August 18, 2024, at Washington Regional Medical Center, after a long and hard-fought battle with metastatic cancer.
Danny was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on April 21, 1957, to Loyd T. Farrar and Fleta Anderson Farrar. Danny was a 1975 graduate of Fayetteville High School. After high school, Danny joined the United States Navy and worked as a cryptological technician. Danny’s assignment in the U.S Navy exposed him to many classified government secrets, which is no surprise to those who knew his keen intellect and uncompromised trustworthiness. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Danny returned to Northwest Arkansas where he began an accomplished career in firefighting and started a family.
Both Danny’s career and life are heavily defined by his service to helping others. Firefighting was Danny’s career passion and he spent 22 years with the Fayetteville Fire Department. Much of Danny’s tenure with FFD was spent as the Fire Marshal and he retired from the department with the rank of Battalion Chief. After his retirement, Danny continued to serve the profession that he loved and held leadership roles with both the Johnson Fire Department and the Tontitown Fire Department. Danny was also active in local civic affairs, holding positions on several municipal and county commissions. Always eager to serve his community, Danny ran for an elected office but found that he did not have the temperament for even local, municipal politics. Danny was simply just too nice for it. Refusing to entertain the idea that, in order to actually win an election, he would need to speak negatively about an opponent and be willing to accept financial contributions from others in support of his campaign, Danny thereafter abandoned his political aspirations and spent his retirement years doing what he loved - volunteering in his church and in his community.
As much as Danny enjoyed firefighting, it was evident that his greater love was for his family. Danny is survived by his wife, Theresa J. Farrar. Danny and Theresa were married on June 26, 1982. Five years later, Danny and Theresa welcomed one son of their marriage, Tyler R. Farrar, whom Danny raised in full display of his own personal values of working hard, and loving others.
Danny was a life-long Christian and his faith in God was unwavering. Danny was a long-time member of Cross Church, attending at various times the Pinnacle Hills, Springdale, and Fayetteville campuses, where he was active in a small group and thoroughly enjoyed serving as an usher on Sunday mornings.
A genuinely nice person, that found a way to talk to everyone he met, Danny will be missed by many friends across Northwest Arkansas.
Danny is survived by his wife of 42 years, Theresa Farrar, his son Tyler R. Farrar, his daughter-in-law, Seanne Farrar, by his grandson Fitzgerald R. Farrar, all of Springdale, Arkansas. Danny is also survived by his daughter from a previous marriage, Kimberly Waring, husband Travis, and his grandchildren Brycen and Brooklyn, of Vero Beach, Florida; and his father-in-law, Dr. Jerry Dorman, of Springdale, Arkansas.
Danny was diagnosed with a rare, metastatic cancer in 2021, and he fought it bravely to the end. Even in his final days, Danny’s doctors voiced how impressed they were with his toughness and resilience. Theresa and Tyler Farrar would like to thank the wonderful caring staff at Highlands Oncology, including Dr. Oakhill, the doctors and staff at Washington Regional Medical Center’s ICU, including Dr. Templeton, and to Dr. John Kendrick and staff.
Danny’s life was worthy of both honor and emulation. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Cross Church, Springdale, Arkansas, in the chapel. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. To leave a tribute, visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.
In lieu flowers, Danny had asked that any memorial contribution be made to Compassion 479, 3157 W. Sunset Ave, Springdale, AR 72762 or at www.weare479.com/.
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