Obituary of Delbert Lavern Farr
From Moscow-Pulllman Daily News, May 4, 2005
A graveside service for Delbert Lavern Farr, 80, took place Monday, May 2, at the Colfax City Cemetery. The Rev. Richard May officiated. Mr. Farr died on Saturday, April 30, at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, Wash.
Delbert was the eldest child born to Roby Edwin and Mary Ada McQueary Farr on Oct. 27, 1924, in the same house on the family farm near Albion where his father was born in 1897. After attending school in Albion, Delbert worked on the farm and for the Union Pacific Railroad in that area.
Delbert enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps serving as a field artillery crewman in the Pacific war zone during World War II from October 1943 through April 3, 1946. He fought in the First Marine invasion battle on the Island of Peleliu and in the battle for Okinawa, secured on June 21, 1945. Delbert left Okinawa on Aug. 15, 1945, and served in the U.S. Marine occupation of China from Sept. 30, 1945 to Feb. 17, 1946, where their duty was to guard the captured Japanese until they were shipped back to Japan. Delbert earned the rank of corporal as a rifle marksman and the good conduct medal.
After World War II ended in the Pacific, Delbert returned home and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad near Pasco. He later moved to Spokane and worked as a crane operator at the Mead Kaiser Aluminum plant. A childless marriage at this time ended in divorce.
Delbert enjoyed fishing in his boat, especially at Lake Chatcolet, and riding his motorcycles. In recent years, he has received excellent professional care by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
Delbert is preceded in death by his mother and father, and a younger brother, Cecil Edwin Farr. He is survived by one sister, Maxine Lange; six nephews with their families; and five first cousins.
Memorials may be given in Delbert's name to the Shriner's Hospital for Children or Franciscan Hospice House.
Arrangements were under the direction of Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax.