Kenneth Charles Farrer

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Kenneth Farrer Obituary

Kenneth CharlesFarrer Educator Kenneth Charles Farrer, 86, left this life on Sunday, December 19, 2004 in Bountiful, Utah. He was born on June 20, 1918 in Murray, Utah to Charles Cook Farrer and Laura Jennet Elg. Sisters were Sylva Hughes, Viola Farrer, Gladys Schmidutz, Beatrice Hansen, Lois Hall, and Barbara Farrer. All of them preceded him in death. Daily life was a struggle for the family. His father was afflicted with black lung - the result of working in the smelter in Murray. The family operated a hamburger and root beer stand on State Street in Murray during the summer to help them survive the winters. Dad, through hard work and sacrifices on his family's part, earned BS and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Utah and an MS from UC Berkeley. Dad met mother, Jane Tolman Dibble, when they were both teaching school in Minersville, Utah. She played the piano and he the violin. They made music together for over 50 years. They married March 10, 1944 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Dad and mother taught for a short time at the Japanese Relocation Camp in Topaz, Utah. It was an experience that profoundly affected both of them. Dad also taught in Milford, Utah and at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah; was an administrator for years in the Granite School District (He was the first principal at Central Junior High School and Olympus High School), the Long Beach, California School District, and the Los Angeles County School District. He served on the LDS Church Board of Education for the Polynesian Islands. He was a professor of education at Utah State University for over 30 years. He loved teaching, his students, and the other professionals with whom he worked. A member of the Logan 24th Ward of the LDS Church for many years, Dad enjoyed teaching the High Priests and Sunday School classes and delighted in leading the singing at sacrament meetings. Mother accompanied on the organ. Mother died April 9, 1999 in Logan, Utah. Dad has been intensely lonely without her. He is survived by daughters Kathryn (Gary Parnell, Spring City, Utah); Martha (Craig Hale, Providence, Utah); Janet (Dick Dresher, Bountiful, Utah); grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Carmen Dibble (Layton, Utah) and Cleo Dibble (Washington, DC); and brother-in-law, Ben Dibble (Scottsdale, Arizona). Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, December 23, 2004 at the Kaysville/Layton Memorial Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood (about 450 North), Kaysville. The family requests no flowers. Memories shared with the family would be appreciated.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Dec. 21 to Dec. 22, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Farrer

9 Entries

Diane Smith

January 5, 2005

I didn't know Dr. Farrer through classes or as a relative. Katie was a sorority sister at USU, and both of her parents helped me...and my family when I got married in Logan. Our wedding was in the Episcopal church in Logan 35+ years ago, and the Farrer family offered to provide music at our reception. At the time, I hadn't been to an LDS wedding, and I thought it was wonderful that they'd offered to play. Katie asked how many songs they should play, and I said, "Maybe you could play for an hour as background music." Now I'm embarrassed but they were so gracious! They played and we all enjoyed it...and to think that Dr. Farrer (and the whole family) was willing to do that for me...he had so much class and composure. I've always thought what a wonderful family they had, and Dr. Farrer provided the direction for that family. I know Katie, Martha, and Janet will miss him like they miss their mom. But he gave them all the skills and support they needed for success with their own families by providing a wonderful example. My thoughts are with all of them....and the many grandchildren. diane

Ann Call

December 28, 2004

I fear that if I wait to find all of your addresses and mail a note to each of you, I will fail in my good intentions, so I will talk to you this way, and then if I can get letters written too, it will be a bonus.

Uncle Ken and Aunt Jane were like my grandparents on the Dibble side, because Grandmother died so young. They mentored me in many ways, and I have many fond memories of time spent with them and with the three of you. Their tastes and ways had a great effect on me in many areas. Uncle Ken was a marvelously genteel man. He was kind, in control, giving, loving, and had a great laugh that I loved to hear. We treasure our association with him and with you three cousins.

May you feel the presence of the Comforter in the times to come when you miss him and wish you could talk to him.

I love you,

Your cousin,

Ann Dibble Call

Geraldine Morris Hall

December 25, 2004

I have always been very proud of my Uncle Ken. I have a doll that he gave me when I was about 6 as a Christmas gift.....62 years ago. He was a very kind and caring person.

Sandra Dibble

December 22, 2004

When I was a teenager visiting Logan, Uncle Ken who would take me along to his classes at Utah State University, and then for an ice cream treat. They were special moments that we shared, and I still cherish.

Neal Cox

December 22, 2004

Dr. Farrer was an outstanding mentor at USU, and I was motivated to invest my working life as an educator thanks to his example of service and genuine concern for students. It impressed me that he was not content simply to remain in his relatively comfortable position in Logan. He wanted to return to the public schools and stay "current" in what he taught. Few professors are brave enough to do so.

I did not know of Dr. Farrer's time in southern Utah but am working at Southern Utah University, not far from where he began his teaching career. I send my love and thanks to the family, especially the Parnells with whom I have shared many positive experiences. May you be comforted in knowing that his life was very well lived. He has been a great inspiration to many of us!

Neal L. Cox

Associate Vice President for Student Services/Dean of Students

Southern Utah University

Mary Salm

December 22, 2004

One day when I was attending Garfield Elementary School eons ago, Dr. Farrer, a district administrator, substituted at our class. I recall he told us the Kipling story of the mongoose Riki Tiki Tavi (please pardon the spelling). I remember him as a kindly, dignified man with piercing eyes.

DeAnn Redmond

December 21, 2004

My thoughts turn today to a wonderful friend and coworker in Secondary Education at USU. I loved your father dearly. He is one of a kind, so thoughtful, helpful, polite and giving. I wrote him many times at the Bountiful House but never heard from him. I know he is in a better place and wished I had taken the time to visit him. He and Jane were special to me. I met Kathryn and Janet at USU - he talked well of his family and he was a great mentor for so many. God bless all of you at his passing and may you all rejoice in his memory, his life well lived and the blessings he gave us all. Till we meet again.

Love, DeAnn Redmond, SecEd - USU

Kathleen Laney Cook

December 21, 2004

I remember Dr. Farr from the first year at Olympus High School. He had a ready smile for you, even when he hadn't a clue which student you were. Had a reputation for fairness.

RONALD ALVIN BUTCHER'

December 21, 2004

I WENT TO CENTRAL JUNIOR HI'

7' THRU 9' GRADE' MR FARRER

WAS THE PRINCIPLE' BACK THEN

HE WAS MY FAVORITE ONE EVER' 67 YR'S OLD NOW RA.BUTCHER'

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