Thomas Carey Farrell Jr.'s Obituary
Dr. Thomas C. Farrell, Jr, CAPT, MC, USN, (Ret)
Thomas Carey Farrell Jr., 78, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023, in his Escondido, CA home with his loving and cherished wife, Barbara, by his side.
Thomas was born fittingly on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1944, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Thomas Carey Farrell and Margery Constance Mann (Farrell) Flynn. He was a life-long learner, graduating from Carmel High School, then studying Zoology at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Gaining early acceptance, Tom attended Tulane Medical School, graduating in 1969 as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. His most recent scholastic achievement was his attainment of his Master of Science degree in Public Health from San Diego State University, with a special emphasis on Global Emergency Preparedness and Response, in 2012. Throughout his life he loved taking part in unique learning experiences, such as Irish Gaelic Conversation classes in Balboa Park’s House of Ireland, and special classes through FEMA, WIFSS, and the local Red Cross. He also enjoyed giving back to other learners, as an ACLS instructor and as a Water Safety Instructor.
Tom lived a life filled with, and devoted to, serving others, both as a highly respected military leader and as a pulmonary and critical care physician. During his 40 years in the United States Navy, both in active duty and while in the Navy Reserve, as well as his many years in private practice and working within several San Diego hospitals, he served as a physician thoroughly dedicated to the health and well-being of his patients and staff. He served in many leadership roles throughout San Diego County, and nearby counties, during his time in the U.S. Navy, such as the Director of Medical Services at the Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, and as the Director, Intensive Care Unit, at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego. In the mid-1990’s, Tom served as the Third Marine Expeditionary (III MEF) Force Surgeon in Okinawa, overseeing all staff and medical planning to the MEF Headquarters and to the major supporting elements: the First Marine Aircraft Wing, the Third Marine Division, and the Third Force Service Support Group (MSE). Tom took an active role in the planning of exercises such as TEAM SPIRIT in Korea, COBRA GOLD in Thailand, and for real-world deployments such as OPERATION STABLIZE in East Timor. Early in his military career, Tom was proud to have been one of the Navy doctors chosen to care for the American POWs released from imprisonment in Vietnam. Further, he was equally proud and humbled to serve his beloved San Diego community, as the Medical Director of the ICU at Hillside Hospital, the Director of Internal Medicine Clinic, Respiratory Therapy, and as the Assistant Director, Hyperbaric Medicine, at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. He was also well known for his constant involvement and support in committees such as the Marine Expeditionary Force Committee, and the Coccidioidomycosis Study Group, as well as his dedication to charity work, especially for the tuberculosis patients he attended to for over a decade in El Centro, CA, visiting them once a month.
Tom’s life as a father was equally exciting. He spent many Saturday mornings attending sporting, scholastic, and cheerleading events, and leading Catholic school carwashes. He was a good sport in paying for years of exorbitant private school tuitions, and agreeing to be home (religiously) each evening for 6 o’clock dinner. He served as the family auto mechanic, fixing cars in the driveway (his greatest pleasure), and continued to maintain his title of #1 bargain shopper through three generations. He was generous, funny, stubborn, sometimes sardonic, and loved being a dad to his three children. His grandchildren were able to reap all and more of their grandfather’s same generosity of spirit throughout their young and adult lives.
Tom was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, as well as his love of the ocean, shooting ranges, real New Orleans fare, unique artwork, thrift shops and junkyards, Sunday football, newspaper comic strips, and time spent traveling and enjoying life with his family, friends, and especially his wife Barbara these past few years. He was a loyal and thoughtful friend to many in and out of the medical field, often being sought out for advice and guidance due to the depth of his wisdom and his ability to think outside the box. He was a cooking extraordinaire, with a flair for serving up delicious, spicy recipes, and relished the opportunity to host large family gatherings, especially during the holidays. He experienced great joy in studying genealogy, particularly in his later years, finding excitement in learning and knowing more about his own Irish heritage.
Thomas is survived by his devoted wife Barbara Wood Farrell (née Batterson), son Thomas Carey (Shelly Patrick) Farrell III, and daughters Jennipher Brooke (Martin) Ohmstede, and Samantha Shea (Kenneth Erwin) Ventura, his two stepsons, Paul Frederick Rossi, and Richard Francis Rossi, as well as his beloved grandchildren, Daniela Eleni (James Armenta) Toscano, Justin Edgar Ventura, and Juliann Shelley Ventura, step-grandchildren, Wesley Jack Ohmstede, and Bryce Hayden Ohmstede, and his sister, Courtney Kenyon. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and former wife, Shelley Diane Farrell (née Watson, 1952-2016).
Thomas will be honored by family and close friends with a small visitation at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary on February 10, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and later interred at Miramar National Cemetery, receiving full military honors, on March 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
His family would like to express their gratitude to Colonel John D. Kiser, USMC (Ret), Tom’s close friend who greatly supported and assisted Tom and the family these past three months.
The family would also like to thank the Escondido First Responders who were always very kind, courteous, and respectful as they made innumerable visits to our home during the past number of months.Thanks too, to Hospice of the North Coast for their supportive, compassionate and professional role as they visited our home when needed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.
"Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf, so Eden sank to grief, so dawn goes down to day, nothing gold can stay."
Robert Frost
We cherish our years with you, and until we meet again, you will always be loved, never forgotten.
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