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Michael Farrar Obituary
On January 11, 2021 Dr. Michael Jeffrey Farrar, 64, passed away at North Florida Regional Medical Center. He was surrounded by love from his family. He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Debra; son, Greg; daughter, Lauren, her partner Tom McMahon, and their children, April and Gus; his sister, Kathy Bernier, her son Taven and many beloved cousins.
Jeff was a professor in the psychology department at the University of Florida, where he led the cognitive and development lab. Prior to coming to UF, he received his doctorate from Emory University's program in Cognition and Development in 1985, and then completed a 2-year NIMH post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Denver. His research focused primarily on the relationship between language and cognition development, with a particular interest in children's development of "theory of mind," i.e., the understanding of others to be intentional actors with independent thoughts and beliefs.
In addition to his research, he was also a teacher in the truest sense. He was a compassionate mentor who cared deeply for his students. A nurturer by nature, Jeff was at his happiest when engaged in guiding others to success.
Family has always been very important to Jeff. He grew up in Atlanta, GA and was especially close to his cousins Jimmy Burton and Mike McWhorter who instilled a love for fast cars. Jeff was also a wonderfully selfless and devoted husband and father who loved his children with all his heart and was absolutely smitten by his two grandchildren who he could not get enough of. He also enjoyed football, especially when that meant getting together with his long-time neighborhood cul-de-sac friends to watch the Gator games every Saturday.
Time and again, when others needed him most, Jeff offered choice words of wisdom and encouragement as only he could. He was a rock, providing a steady, unshakable foundation to the lives of many. His calming and compassionate presence is already sorely missed by those who knew him.
Memorial service arrangements are still being planned and will likely include a virtual component and will be updated here online. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jeff's honor to the Psychology Department at the University of Florida: https://www.uff.ufl.edu/give-now/?fund_id=005915&appeal=AA1K
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Jess Campbell
March 5, 2025
Jeff!
Currently working on a project that overlaps with your own research interests, and got swept up in thoughts of you! I am so grateful for your mentorship, your kindness, and your support. You were such a positive guiding light in my career and I am absolutely so, so thankful I had the privilege of knowing you. Your influence supported me through the stressful years of graduate school, and your peacefulness helped remind me that it would all be alright. THANK YOU!
Leslie Ronsonet
June 3, 2021
First thing that comes to mind is how happy and giving he was. So giving of his knowledge and time. Always happy to be there (in class or office hours, even exam reviews). He loved answering any question we asked. I learned so much from this man and it is helping me so much with my career now. I’m heartbroken I didn’t get a chance to thank him but now he can see for himself what I’m doing with everything he taught me.
Elinor Alison Mcmahon
February 25, 2021
I found Jeff to be an exceptional human person.. He held to moral excellence, being patient, compassionate, showing integrity & wisdom . and having a high level of intelligence . Jeff was always kind and thoughtful. He imported valuable child developmental knowledge to his students ;therefore, his legacy will not only live on in his children
(Lauren & Greg) ,my son, Tom his adored Grandchildren April and Gus but also all of those he touched with his grace and teaching. he will live on . Jeff made and still makes a huge difference in the world for future generations. The beauty of his kindness and love of children will live on. Such a loss to our world. Amen
Yao Guan
February 25, 2021
Dr. Farrar made a great impact to my life, and many other grad and undergrad students' lives. He made the Department of Psychology at UF, academia, and the world a better place. As his academic daughter, I am forever grateful for Jeff's guidance in science and for always having time and being there for me. I will miss Jeff deeply.
Nancy Burton
February 23, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Keith Berg
February 22, 2021
Jeff's obituary was a perfect description of the Jeff I knew. It was wonderful to be a close colleague and associate of Jeff's over so many years. My condolences to Debra and all their family members. We will miss his kind spirit.
Monica
February 21, 2021
Deb and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that your memories will give you comfort in this difficult time. My prayers are with your family.
Karen A Bennett
February 21, 2021
I will deeply miss our working relationship over the past many years. You always led interesting research studies and mentored your students so willingly. When Lauren attended the Santa Fe College Little School and you discovered that your research assistants could come to the Little School to conduct research with preschoolers, you kept a steady stream of research going at our school. I will miss collaborating on these projects. To your family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jeff was a kind, dedicated professional who loved his family dearly. Such a tragic loss.
Jim Burton
February 20, 2021
Even though Jeff was my first cousin, he felt like our son because he spent many summers with us. Jeff also went sports car racing with us and watched our children. We also shared professions as university professors. I love Jeff dearly.
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