Laura E. Farrar

Laura E. Farrar, 59, of the Levelwoods Community, died peacefully at her home on September 23, 2019. She and her husband, Mark A. Farrar had recently celebrated their 35th anniversary.  Born June 13, 1960, in San Francisco California, she was the daughter of Mr. Alfred E. Harris and Mrs. Sydney Cotton.  Laura lived her early life in Kitsap County, Washington, where she graduated from Kitsap County High School and later, Washington State University.  She also earned several Master’s Degrees in counseling and education from Tarleton State and Western Kentucky Universities.  She also was a certified horse instructor with the British Equestrian Society.  In 1983, she volunteered for active duty service in the United States Army.  Commissioned a 2LT in the Transportation Corps, she held several distinctive division level leadership positions in the famed 3rd Armored Division Federal, Republic of Germany before leaving active service to pursue motherhood.  Her awards include the Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Cold War Service Medal among others.  She was employed as an English teacher at several Kentucky schools (both private and public) with the most time spent at Larue County High School from which she retired.  She was also an active community volunteer leader.  Some of these leadership roles included Dog 4H Club, Pony Club and over twenty years of Sunday school instruction.  A published author, she is best known for her novel “Legs, the Journey of an American Thoroughbred” which is both a novel and a critique of the horse slaughter industry.  A skilled flautist, she was typically first chair flute in many wind ensembles and performed at church, military and public events worldwide.  However, Laura was best known as an extremely talented and skilled horse rider, trainer, breeder and horse farm director.  Her equine pursuits included higher level dressage competition, trail riding (which both she and her husband enjoyed immensely) and contributed over thirty years of sidesaddle demonstration and participation in the reenacting and living history hobby.  She was a member of and served on the session of Bethel First Presbyterian Church Campbellsville, Kentucky.  Laura will be remembered for being a devoted wife and mother, a person with an exceptionally keen intellect and wit, sincere religious devotion, in depth knowledge of English literature and a true friend of the many horses she rescued from the horse slaughter industry. Survivors include her parents, Alfred E. Harris of Poulsbo, Washington and Mrs. Sydney Cotton of Bremerton, Washington;  husband Mark A. Farrar, US Army (ret) of Campbellsville; son CPT Victor Farrar, US Army IN and his wife, Marsalie McKenzie of Ft. Benning, Georgia; daughters: Elizabeth and her husband, Anthony Heiskell of Louisville,  LT Emily Turner and her husband, LT Caleb Turner of Elizabethtown, Hope Ballard and her husband, Logan Ballard of Buffalo;  brother, Dr. Peter Harris and his wife, Ellen; grandsons:  Anderson Ballard and Emmett Turner and several nieces and nephews. __________________ Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Bethel First Presbyterian Church A memorial service will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at Bethel First Presbyterian Church, 502 East Main St, Campbellsville KY followed by graveside services at Levelwoods farm with full military honors by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard. Contributions in Laura’s name can be made to the American Standardbred Rescue Organization.      PARROTT & RAMSEY FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS