Willard Beaumont Farquhar

Willard Beaumont Farquhar, Jr. (Monte)

February 7, 1947 – November 30, 2023

Commander Willard Beaumont Farquhar, Jr. (Monte) USN (ret) passed away on November 30, 2023 after a brave fight with Pancreatic Cancer. Monte was born in Redlands, CA and received his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. After graduation, he completed flight training with the US Navy. He was commissioned and enlisted as a designated Naval Aviator, earning his USN pilot wings in 1969. Monte (Naval call sign “Farkle”) loved being an aviator and was proud to have spent most of his military career flying A7s from the USS Saratoga. He later advanced to the rank of Commander and served as a flight instructor. He continued his service as a reserve officer while also flying as a commercial captain for PSA/US Airways (American Airlines) until retirement from the Navy prior to commercial retirement.

Monte was born and raised in Redlands, CA where his great grandfather established Farquhar Farms in 1898, the family homestead surrounded by fragrant citrus groves. In his later years, Monte was immensely proud to be the 4th generation to reside there. He could fix or build anything he put his mind to and thrived on being able to utilize his knowledge and skills on the farm. Monte carried on the Farquhar family legacy and enjoyed caring for the groves and attending market nights following his retirement until his health no longer permitted. In addition to farming, he loved everything fun, fast and furious, including planes, jets, classic cars, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers and boats. As an avid football fan, during Fall, Monte could be found enjoying his favorite Mexican cuisine and rooting for his California teams. He always enjoyed good times, great company, and delicious food!

Monte was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Margaret Farquhar, and his sisters, Susi and Glanna Farquhar. He is survived by his loving children Andrea Womack and her husband, Michael; Jennifer Passaretti and her husband, Joe; Dana Zelaya and her husband, Gerardo; Willard Beaumont Farquar III (Trey) and his wife, Kaytee; and 5 grandchildren Lenyn and Lochlyn Womack, Lila Passaretti, and Milo and Blakely Farquhar. He will additionally be remembered fondly by his stepchildren Bryan and Casey Moore; their spouses Dacia and Lisa and their children Maven, Braylynn, Streeter, and Kivlyn; Sadie, Page, and Austin.

Monte will be celebrated February 7, 2024, on what would have been his 77th birthday. Family will welcome guests for a celebration of life from 11am to 1pm at March Field Air Museum, 22550 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. This will be followed by a graveside service at 1:30pm located at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518. All are welcome to attend the celebration of life and/ or the graveside service. In leau of flowers, the family requests that to honor Monte, a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) (pancan.org) be gifted in his memory -OR- a living tribute be made to plant a tree in San Bernadino National Forest (fs.usda.gov) in his honor.