RIP David Farrow

Skagit Valley Herald

March 30, 2017

The life force that was David Marcus Farrow left this earth on Monday evening, March 27, 2017. He was home by a window with cats on his bed.

David entered this world on June 23, 1929 in the parsonage of the First Christian Church in Rosalia, Washington. His father, Eugene Oregon Farrow, was giving a sermon when his mother, Ione Wilkins Farrow, gave birth to a very boisterous boy.

His sister, Bertie Jean, was two years old at the time.

In 1931, the Farrows moved to Los Angeles, California where David grew and thrived. As a teenager, during the war years, David got a job parking cars at Hollywood's famous nightclubs.

His stories of fast cars and famous actors always delighted people.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 where he became a jet engine mechanic. He was stationed at Sheppard, Chanute and Luke AFB's. At Luke, he worked with the Air Force Demonstration Team that evolved into The Thunderbirds.

After his discharge, he prospected for gold, uranium and other precious metals in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.

Hollywood still lured him and he returned to begin a career as an actor.

Acting doesn't always pay well. He soon learned that his mechanical aptitude would serve him well on the other side of the camera as a grip, prop maker and production manager.

David eventually became a television commercial director for John Urie and Company, one of the first "boutique" production companies in Hollywood.

In 1971 he joined Paisley Productions as a staff director. At Paisley he met his life partner, Christine Kitch, who later became the "Mrs.". His clients included, Lincoln Mercury, Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Mazda, TRW, Toyota, Maytag and Sears.

Paisley closed in 1989 and David moved to Paramount Images, the commercial division of Paramount Pictures under a three year contract.

Studio restrictions never suited David, so when his contract expired he continued to direct under his own company name: Thimblerig Films.

The love of fast cars and motorcycles reached a peak in 1986 when David became the first man to race in the Baja 1000 on a customized Harley Davidson. He named it "Harley's Comet".

Ending his directing career in 2000, David focused on his true passion, flying. He flew for Angel Flight. He flew for pleasure. He flew to explore.

The last chapter of his life began in 2007 when the Farrows moved to Mount Vernon, Washington into a small home with a big view of Mount Baker.

New friends were made wherever he turned. He flew photographic flights for the Skagit Land Trust. He counted salmon in his own creek. He lived life with the joy of constant discovery.

When the weather warms and the days are long we will celebrate a life well lived.tin

FARROW, David (David Marcos Farrow)

Born: 6/23/1929, Rosalia, Washington, U.S.A.

Died: 3/27/2017, Mount Vernon, Washington, U.S.A.

David Farrow’s westerns – actor:

The Virginian (TV) – 1967, 1968 (Carter, Harkness)

Daniel Boone (TV) – 1968 (sentry)

The High Chaparral (TV) – 1969 (Frank)

The Last of the Mohicans – 1997 (guard)