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Thomas Farr Obituary
Thomas Arthur Farr, 71, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died November 25, 2013 in Edmonds, Washington, surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in Lewiston, Idaho to George and Lulu Farr and grew up in Spokane with brothers Bill and Don. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, then attended Washington State University and Eastern Washington University, earning a degree in Finance. He married Margrethe Husom, another LC Tiger, in 1964. Tom worked for Old National Bank in Spokane until 1981, when he moved his family to Seattle to accept a position with Seafirst Bank. He started the private banking division at Seafirst, then later joined The Commerce Bank of Washington. Tom also served as the Chairman of the Board of Horizon Credit Union. In 1997, he left banking to purchase PetroCard Systems with partner Bristol Bay Native Corporation, serving as President and CEO of PetroCard until his retirement in 2007.
He was an active participant in his community: in Spokane, he was a member of Central Lutheran Church, a member of the Spokane Club, and active in Wampum, a civic organization supporting the arts. After he and Margrethe moved to Seattle, he became a member of First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach. He joined the Rotary Club (first Bellevue, then Seattle #4), was a member of the Washington Athletic Club, and was active in PONCHO.
Tom loved piloting airplanes, riding motorcycles and driving boats of all kinds. He was kind and patient beyond measure. He could fix anything. He loved a good joke or a good prank. He was his grandsons' first choice when they needed someone to take out a sliver or to teach them to waterski at Priest Lake, where he spent his summers. After retirement he and Margrethe also enjoyed time on Maui and in Surprise, Arizona.
He is survived by his wife Margrethe Husom Farr, two daughters, Molly Farr Kosten (Michael) and Amy Farr Collins (Tony), grandsons Charlie and Peter Kosten and step-granddaughter Hannah Kosten, brother Donald Farr (Annetta), niece Kathy Prince (Joel), brother William Farr (Ollie), sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betsy and Thomas Newman, nephew Michael Ross and niece Elissa Ross, and extended family and friends.
Tom will be missed greatly by his family and all who knew him, but we are exceedingly grateful for his life and the time we did have with him. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach, 18354 8th Avenue NW, Shoreline, WA 98177, on Saturday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Donations in Tom's memory may be made to First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach (www.flrb.org), to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (www.cholangiocarcinoma.org) or to the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Farr
Sponsored by The Family.
Roy Henderson
November 30, 2025
Tom and I attended Jefferson Elementary School and were among the 12 or so who did so from Kindergarten thru 8th grade graduation. I moved from Spokane shortly thereafter and many years later was the Seafirst Bank executive who oversaw the creation of the Bank's Private Banking Group that Tom successfully built up. Serendipitously, Tom's daughter Amy and my daughter Jaimee several years later me in Jr High School and came life long friends.
January 9, 2014
Dear friends and family of Tom Farr:
Tom was a friend from Lewis and Clark HS and many a summer day was spent at Liberty Lake with Tom and his many friends. We all felt very comfortable around Tom because he was a nurturing guy even as a teenager. Tom was loved and admired by many and he leaves an amazing legacy. Carry on in his honor and memory. Beth Ellen Wolff Colvin
Heidi (Halvorson) Prater
December 16, 2013
Margrethe - Being so far away in Colorado until recently, I was shocked to hear the sad news about Tom . . . You and I (and our parents/families) go back so far - and Tom, too - it is so hard to imagine that this stage of our lives would ever come. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your girls! Also . . . Margrethe, you have been in my corner over the years and this is a good time to voice my appreciation of that!
Love, Heidi
Jeanie Melvim
December 10, 2013
Dear margarthe, Vern and I just heard about Tom. We're so glad we had a chance to visit with him this past summer. We're so saddened by your loss. Please know we're thinking about you and do care.
Our love to you, Jeanie and Vern melvin
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Marj Hause
December 7, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I really enjoyed his friendship and his confidence in me. I smile as I think of him. Please know how disappointed I am to not be able to attend his service and give you all a hug. Grace and Peace to you Margarethe and your family. Love, Marj Hause
December 7, 2013
We were so sorry to hear about Tom's passing.....So sad for your family and loved ones. Praying for you......Sue and Gary Johnson
Jim
December 6, 2013
T Farr
A Friend a leader a mentor.
You'll be missed my firiend, rest in peace.
Jim
Fred & Cathy Enlow
December 6, 2013
Tom was a long time friend and workmates....he will be missed and remembered as warm, caring and hardworking. We will all be at a loss for his presence at Priest lake..a place we know he loved and had so many friends
December 6, 2013
Margarethe. Sorry for your loss. Tom and you were our heros over the Outlet problem. He was always so gracious and I was totally stunned over his passing. Hopefully we can share some times together at the lake even though it will be different.
Dale & Marianne Butterfield
December 6, 2013
We have many fond memories of Tom and his family. Tom and I worked together for several years. I always enjoyed his enthusiasm for life and his great sense of humor. We meet as trainees for the Old National Bank, starting on the same day. We worked together in Human Resources and in Branch Banking. I will always remember Tom as someone you could count on when something needed to be done.
Margrethe, Molly, and Amy, we are sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you and Tom.
Dale and Marianne Butterfield
Betsy Swanson
December 5, 2013
Dear Margrethe and Family....We've also known Tom since grade school. We all walked to and from school past his house. He was one of those wonderful people who made everyone around him happy and glad to be in his "circle of friends"...We've shared Priest Lake, Jefferson Grade School and LC high school....wonderful memories. Know that we are thinking of all of you. Tom was a true friend, a wonderful family man and a real gentleman. He will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Betsy and Tom Swanson
Dave & Eileen Grade
December 4, 2013
To Amy and your family, Dave and I were saddened to hear about your dad. We always enjoyed seeing him and talking to him whenever we used get together. He will live forever in your hearts and memories. Know you have a very special angel watching over all of you until you are reunited someday. All our love and thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 4, 2013
My condolences to the family
May the God of all comfort give you strength to cope with your loss.
Kathryn Rodell Hunt
December 3, 2013
The Husoms and the Rodells were so closely linked throughout their lives; I feel as though we've lost a family member. I send strong hugs and much love to Margrethe and to all the family. Tom was exceptional, a fine husband and father. Blessings to you all through this hard time and always.
December 3, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Tom hired me to work at ONB in 1973. I enjoyed working with him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We are still living on the park. I know you and Tom also have many good memories of Cannon Hill.
Todd and Kay Edmonds
Barb Frick
December 3, 2013
Margrethe, Amy, Molly, Bill & Ollie, Don & Annetta and families,
sending you my love and hugs on Tom's passing. May your memories wrap around you like a special blanket, Barb Frick
Susan Bryant
December 3, 2013
I have such sweet memories of Tom through Jefferson and LC. He was a kind and gentle person and a good friend to so many. May his love and the memories of your life with him sustain you and all your family, Margrethe.
George and Renee Pavey
December 3, 2013
Dear Margrethe, Amy and Molly and the rest of the family. Renee and I are deeply saddened by the news of Tom's passing. We were neighbors on Shoshone in Spokane and the girls played with our kids and still know each other on Facebook. A wonderful, gracious family.
Tom called me every year on my birthday. What a special guy.
December 3, 2013
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Parney
John Kephart
December 3, 2013
I met Tom when he began work at The Commerce Bank. He was a good and decent man, someone I enjoyed working with and getting to know as a friend. Our paths changed and I am sorry to have missed the opportunity to see him once again. To Margrethe and his family my prayers are with you.
John Kephart
December 2, 2013
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Tom. He will be missed by all of us at OBOA. Lyle and Cleta Amsden
December 2, 2013
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. Dad talked fondly about his nephews Tom, Don and Bill. Tom will be missed.
Rick and Terrie Frick Greaves
December 2, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time I am blessed to having known and worked for him the years that I did at PetroCard. Blessings, Krista Granum
Jeanne Lavery
December 2, 2013
Molly- Hold the memories close and they will comfort you.
Steve Berde
December 2, 2013
To the Farr loved ones. Tom was a rare man. I've missed him ever since we moved away from the Puget Sound area back to Spokane. Louise and I send our deepest condolences to you all. He will be missed.
Len Funk
December 2, 2013
I met Tom in 46 when my parents moved to 38th and Arthur. We ran a Kool Aid stand on that corner that summer. In Kgarden I was impressed that Tom could wiggle his ears. A few years later I learned Tom's two finger technique of whistling..at girls of course!! I later learned how to whistle using no digits, but I never came close to learning how to wiggle my ears! In high school one could always swing by the house on 38th and find Tom or his brother Don working on a car and usually able to fix what was wrong with yours.
To Tom's family:
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We shall remember Tom
The Doherty's
December 2, 2013
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of Tom. We are glad we were able to spend time with him and his family.
Harper Whaley Tripp
December 2, 2013
Dear Molly and the Farr family -- I am so saddened to hear about your dad. My prayers & thoughts are with you all.
Much love, Harper Whaley Tripp & family
Roy Henderson
December 2, 2013
I met Tom in Kindergarten at Jefferson Grade School, which we both attended through the 8th Grade. I later worked with him at Seafirst Bank and then met Margrethe, Molly and Amy who became a close friend of my daughter Jaimee. Tom was a fellow pilot, a true gentleman, and a loving husband and father. He will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family and friends.
Roy Henderson Family
Compton Family
December 1, 2013
The Compton family, John & Barbara, Greg & Tessie and especially Doug & Hayden, extend our deepest sympathy to the Farr family for their loss. Tom was a gentleman in all respects. All our lives were touched by Tom's presence. God Bless the Farr family.
Julie Haun Hanson
December 1, 2013
So sorry to hear about Tom. My prayers are with you, Margrethe and your family.
Love,
Julie
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