Jerry B. Farrar's Obituary
Jerry Byron Farrar was born on July 8, 1946, in Fayetteville, TN, to his parents, Audrey (Chapman) and Don Farrar. He graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, TN, in 1964. He joined the Navy in 1966 and was stationed in Honolulu, HI, where he met his future wife, Michal Visbisky. After completing their service in 1970 in Virginia, they were married in Washington, D.C. and returned to Hawaii, where they stayed until their first child, John, was born in 1975. During this time, he also completed a business degree at Chaminade University and began his career at Burroughs Corporation. Soon after, they moved to Fresno, CA, where their daughter Katie was born in 1977. In 1980, he was transferred to Memphis, and the family settled in Germantown, TN, where Jerry worked as Regional Sales Manager for Burroughs, then later at Forms & Supplies, where he made many lifelong friends. He retired from Southern Graphics, a spinout company of Forms and Supplies. In retirement, Jerry developed a strong interest in classic cars, and his favorite hobby was restoring an MG and a 1969 Porsche, alongside his friends in the local chapter of the British Sports Car Club. Jerry was also an avid fisherman and tennis fan, having introduced his son to the sport.
Jerry, better known as “Papa” by his three granddaughters, loved being a grandparent. His oldest granddaughter, Emma, wrote the following on behalf of all of them: Our grandfather was kind in a way that felt rare. He told us to follow what we love and not to settle for anything less. He believed there was always a chance to build a life that felt like your own, that you didn’t have to do something that drained you. He carried that belief with him, like it was his way of loving us, reminding us we could always choose more. As he grew sick, he softened further. He remained patient with us and never lost faith in the world around him. He loved his classic cars and days spent fishing, simple joys that matched his calm, steady nature. He welcomed everyone who walked through his door and saw differences not as divides but as what brought people closer. That’s what we’ll remember most, his kindness, his patience, and the way he made everyone feel at home.
He is survived by his wife, Michal, son John, daughter Katie, and granddaughters, Emma, Addie, and Sarah, his brother Don (Mardi Street) of Nashville, and many extended family members throughout the country.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Madonna Learning Center in Germantown, TN.
Celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Parkside Event Center at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
“Someday, we’ll all be together again” - Cecilio & Kapono, “Someday”
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