William A Farrow Jr., Dvm

Montrose — William A. Farrow Jr, DVM, age 91, passed peacefully on August 4, 2016 at Brookdale Sunrise Creek, Montrose, Colorado.

How do you find the words to describe a life so well lived?  The words are not adequate.

Bill  is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanie and children; Robbi Farrow, Kristi Dommen and Bert Farrow and grandchildren: Emalynn, Travis, Cody, Niklaus and Peter.

A Colorado native, Bill was the only son of Abner and MaryBell Farrow. He was born and raised in Monte Vista. In his youth, Bill worked in the potato fields, worked sheep, played various team sports, learned to ski and worked for the forest service trail building and manning fire watches in the nearby mountains over the summer. Much to his mother’s dismay he enjoyed competing in bull riding in the rodeo!

Bill was a combat veteran of World War II (10th Mtn. Div., 85E). Following his high school graduation he immediately volunteered for the draft. Bill joined the United States Army. While serving at Camp Swift, Texas, he requested and was selected for the US Army’s new and elite mountain warfare unit, the 10th Mountain Division, at Camp Hale, CO.  The Division was a unique experiment for the US Army as it was developed to test the organization and equipment best suited to the deployment of a division in high mountain warfare. The 10th Mountain Division was an elite combat force in American Military history and was the forerunner of today’s Special Forces. Soldiers for the Division were hand selected based on letters of recommendations documenting their mountaineering, skiing and/or outdoor experience. Soldiers honed their skills at the 9,200 foot high Camp Hale to enable them to fight and survive under the most brutal mountain conditions. Training maneuvers at altitudes nearing 12,000 feet and winter temperatures approaching thirty degrees below zero consisted not only of special mountaineering techniques, skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, but also in the training of various arms and technical equipment, much of it new and experimental for mountain warfare.

As deployment to Italy neared, many companies were added to put in extra firepower, as well as adding horses and mules for transportation and packing. Bill’s next responsibility was to teach the regimental head of intelligence to ride a horse. His passion for horses served him well as he became stable sergeant with the responsibility for the care of the animals. The Company landed in Italy and were transferred to a base camp near the Leaning Tower of Pisa. After crossing the Po river, the troops continued north along a steep ridge on the east side of Lake Garda. As the assault on northern Italy took place in January 1945, the Division entered the Po River Valley. After crossing the Po River, the troops continued north along the steep mountainous terrain to the east side of Lake Garda. Unknown to many, the 10th Mountain Division saw some of the heaviest  combat of the European Theater and suffered the highest causality rate of any unit involved in World War II.

Bill was awarded The Bronze Star for meritorious and brave actions near Campodello, Italy, May 5, 1945.  The discipline, pride, patriotism and friendships he acquired while serving never left him, as his friends and family will attest.

Following honorable discharge at the end of the war, Bill attended and graduated from Colorado A & M (now Colorado State University) earning a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Bill and Joanie were married in July 1951. He practiced veterinary medicine  in Montana, Wyoming, Oklahoma and ultimately in Littleton, CO.  He built and operated Arapahoe

Veterinary Service, a large and small animal  veterinary facility. Bill specialized in horses and practiced at Centennial Race Track from 1961 until he was appointed the State veterinarian for the Colorado State Racing Commission from 1976 to 1983. Clients and peers respected his skill and the call of “Hey Doc, can you come take a look?” was frequently heard. “Doc” (as most of his clients affectionately called him) provided the absolute best care possible for all creatures great and small. Animals and their guardians were always treated with compassion, kindness and love. Doc was keenly intuitive and always gave a voice to the voiceless and was truly a “Horse Whisper.”

When not working,  Bill enjoyed time with his family, skiing, golf and a great glass of wine. Upon his retirement, Bill was as busy or perhaps more so than he had been in his vet practice.  He volunteered at Winter Park and Powderhorn with the Adapted Ski Programs and with Special Olympics. Bill continued his love of skiing and struck up many friendships on a chairlift over the years. A stranger is a friend you have not yet met. Doc’s engaging smile, great sense of humor, and genuine interest in others made him masterful at striking up meaningful conversations.

Bill enjoyed the camaraderie and philanthropy of many service associations. He was particularly fond of 10th Mountain events including monthly meetings, annual reunions, and special events including a reunion trip to Italy. Bill joined the Elks Lodge in Cody, was a Mason, and was active with Kiwanis in Littleton, Battlement Mesa, and Montrose.

Services will be held this Friday at 2:00 pm at Crippin Funeral Home. His ashes will be scattered near his beloved Camp Hale. To honor Bill’s amazing legacy, in lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts made to: Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, 133 S. Van Gordon St., Lakewood, CO 80228 or Hope West Hospice, 725 S. 4th Street, Montrose, CO 81401. Crippin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.