Frank Farrar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Farrar
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| 24th Governor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – January 5, 1971 |
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| Lieutenant | James Abdnor |
| Preceded by | Nils Boe |
| Succeeded by | Richard F. Kneip |
| 22nd Attorney General of South Dakota | |
| In office January 1963 – January 7, 1969 |
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| Governor | Archie M. Gubbrud Nils Boe |
| Preceded by | Albert C. Miller |
| Succeeded by | Gordon Mydland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frank Leroy Farrar
April 2, 1929 Britton, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | October 31, 2021 (aged 92) Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Patricia Henley
(m. 1953; died 2015) |
| Education | University of South Dakota (BS, LLB) |
Frank Leroy Farrar (born April 2, 1929 – died October 31, 2021) was an American leader. He served as the 24th governor of South Dakota. He was a Republican from Britton.
Before becoming governor, he was the state's attorney general from 1963 to 1969. He then served as governor from 1969 to 1971. After leaving public office, he became a successful businessman. He owned many banks and supported good causes.
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Frank Farrar's Early Life and Education
Frank Farrar was born in Britton, South Dakota. His parents were Venetia Soule (Taylor) and Virgil W. Farrar. He was an Eagle Scout and a student leader. He finished high school in Britton in 1947.
He went to the University of South Dakota (USD). There, he earned degrees in science and law. While at USD, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1949 to 1953. He was on active duty during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He became a captain before leaving the Army Reserve.
On June 5, 1953, he married Patricia Henley. They got married in Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was stationed. Frank and Patricia Farrar had five children: Jeanne, Sally, Robert, Mary, and Anne.
Frank Farrar's Career in Public Service
After the Korean War, Farrar worked for the Internal Revenue Service until 1957. In 1958, he became a judge. From 1959 to 1962, he was the State's Attorney for Marshall County. He also led the States Attorneys Association.
In 1962, Farrar decided to run for Attorney General of South Dakota. He won the Republican nomination. Then, he defeated the Democrat Thomas E. Poe in the main election. At 33 years old, he was the youngest person ever elected as South Dakota's attorney general.
He was re-elected as attorney general in 1964 and again in 1966. His success made many people think he would run for governor.
Becoming Governor of South Dakota
In the 1968 governor's election, Farrar won with more than 57% of the votes. He defeated the Democratic candidate Robert Chamberlin.
However, he lost support during his term. He raised the state sales tax from 3% to 4%. He also promoted some unpopular changes in the energy sector. Because of this, he lost his re-election bid two years later. He later said this was "the only election I lost in my life." As of 2021, he was the last elected governor of South Dakota to lose re-election.
Life After Public Office
After his two-year term as governor, Farrar returned to Britton to practice law. He also became a very successful banker. He bought, ran, and sold many local banks. These banks were in small towns and rural areas across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Indiana, Montana, and New Mexico.
Frank Farrar was also a generous person. He gave money to many non-profit groups. These included the Scouts, the March of Dimes, and the South Dakota Community Foundation.
Frank Farrar's Later Life and Hobbies
Farrar was a skilled pilot. He flew his own plane to visit the banks he owned. Over the years, he spent more than 17,000 hours flying.
He was also a very active athlete. At age 73, he completed the Kona Ironman Competition. This was ten years after he had survived a type of cancer. He had the 9th fastest time in the Coeur D’Alene Ironman for men aged 70 and older. He finished the 2003 race in 16 hours, 48 minutes, and 49 seconds.
His wife, Patricia Farrar, who was also a Senior Olympian, passed away on October 31, 2015. She was 84 years old.
Frank Farrar died on October 31, 2021, in Rochester, Minnesota. He was 92 years old. This was the sixth anniversary of his wife's death. He is remembered by his five children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Honors and Awards for Frank Farrar
- Alumni of the Year for the School of Business at the University of South Dakota (USD), 1979
- the USD Achievement Award, 1981
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, 2001
- Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame, 2006
- Parade Marshal for the 104th "Dakota Days" homecoming parade at USD, 2018
