Veteran’s Day Feature: Band of Brothers & Others

SUBMITTED STORY
When it comes to serving out country, I think you could say that the Farrow family has done their part.
Of 11 children, eight boys and three girls. Six of the boys have served in the military. Add to that one son-in-law and one daughter-in-law and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and spouses and this family could have been its own Company.
The Farrow’s are long time Mannford residents with all of the children having been raised in Mannford.
Clarence was a farmer and Ollie a homemaker.
Clarence died in 1952, at the age of 50 while the 3 older sons were in the military, leaving Ollie to raise the remaining eight children ranging in age from five to 18 years of age. As long as there were younger children at home, each of the boys while serving their country sent money home to their mother to help make ends meet.
Lloyd F.Farrow, the oldest son, was drafted into the Army in 1944 and was sent to Europe where he was wounded in action. While wounded he captured three German prisoners with only a grenade as his weapon. Going without food and sleep for 60 hours he returned the three prisoners to the aid station where they were fired upon and he was wounded once more.
After he was discharged, he was in reserves for a short time and then re-enlisted for active duty. He did two more tours in Germany in the 50’s and 60’s taking his family with him. They added two more daughters to the family one each tour, bringing the total of daughters to five.
He served one tour in Vietnam as Helicopter Crew Chief before retiring in 1966. His Military career spanned 22 years. Among the many medals he received during his service, were the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Lloyd’s wife Nelda Johnston Farrow of Harbor Springs, MI, whom he met and married while stationed at Ft. Mason in San Francisco, was serving in the WAC. as Clerk Typist. Ranked, Corporal. Serving from 1952 to 1954.
When Lloyd retired from the Army, he and Nelda settled in Tecumseh OK and raised their daughters there. He passed away on May 20, 2007 in Shawnee OK. Nelda still resides there.
Lloyd has two sons-in-law who also served.
Irl Meade, married to daughter Nadine, served in the Navy from 1952 to 1972. Irl served in Cameron Bay, Vietnam. Honorable discharge with the rank of E5.
Robert Butler, married to daughter Joyce, served in the Air Force from 1975 to 1979. Robert’s rank was Sgt. Telecommunications Operation Specialist.
Grandson, Travis Carter, son of Phyllis Farrow Bolt and Richard Carter, served in the Army from April 2003 to March 2010. He did one tour in Iraq. Black Hawk Crew Chief. Honorably discharged with the rank E4.
Travis’ wife Samarra Wagner Carter served in the Marine Corp From 2007 to 2011. Huey Crew Chief Honorable discharge. Corporal E4.
Billy Joe Farrow enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 serving as Air Police, stateside duty at Strategic Air Command, Omaha, Neb. Honorably discharged in 1954. Billy married Billie Jean Tayrien and moved to Bartlesville OK. where they raised three sons. Billie Jean passed away in Jan 2000. Billy currently resides in Bartlesville with his wife Clara.
Billy’s son Wayne Chapman enlisted in the Navy in 1969. He was Personnel man and served on several carriers. Retired 1994 as Senior Chief Petty Officer. Wayne met his wife Cori Grimm, who was also serving in the Navy while both were stationed in Hawaii. Cori served from Oct. 1972 to Mar 1974.
Donald L. Farrow enlisted in the Navy in 1950 at the age of 17. He saw action in the Pacific during the Koran Conflict. He served as SN on the US Frank E Evans DD754 which housed and protected four air craft carriers. Honorable discharge Oct. 1953.
He married Dorothy (Dot) Wolfe of DeQueen Arkansas and has three sons and one daughter. Dot passed away in 2004. Don currently resides in Locksburg AR.
Donald’s son Roy Lee Farrow enlisted in the Air Force in 1975. Roy was always assigned to SAC bases. Working his way up in the ranks he was awarded many honors such as Airman of the year, Airman of the quarter on two separate occasions and Manager of the year for all the Air Force bases. He was honorably discharged in 1981 after six years with the rank of SSgt.
Donald’s son, Kenneth Farrow served in the Navy from Nov 1975 to Feb 1983 as a designated Fireman. One cruise to the Middle East and one tour to the Mediterranean, obtaining the rank E5.
Sister, Twila Farrow Young’s husband, Danny Young of Mannford, was drafted into the Army April 1953 serving at Ft Hood Texas as Clerk Typist and Ambulance Driver. He and Twila were married while he was stationed at Ft Hood. Honorable discharge 1955, Rank PFC. They have two sons and two daughters and still reside in Mannford.
Twila and Danny’s son Billy Craig Young has served in the US Navy since 1980. In 1990 he was serving On the USS Saratoga as CPO in Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-83, flying F/A-18 Hornets, seeing action in Desert Storm.
The USS Saratoga was on routine deployment in the Mediterranean Sea but passed through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea when action broke out. They started bombing the first day of the war. His Squadron did not lose an aircraft. During his 35 years in the Navy, he spent more than 5 years actually underway on an aircraft carrier. Deployed on 5 different air craft carriers. Starting as Airman Recruit (E-I) Craig was promoted to his current rank as Captain in Oct 2014. He has always been in the Aviation branch of the Navy (air,sub,surface).
Captain Young’s awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. He is currently serving at Naval Air Force Reserve in Norfolk VA. He married Liz Hilton and has three stepsons and one step daughter.
Laura Hilton King, Craig Young’s step daughter served in the Navy. 1985-1992. Aviation Support Equipment Mechanic. Rank AS2. Her husband Jon King served in the Navy 1981-2001. Aviation Support Equipment Mechanic. Rank AS1.
J.W. (Bud) Farrow enlisted in the Marine Corp in Nov 1953 serving in Investigations. He did one tour post war in Korea and Japan, serving in the First Marine Air Wing as Sgt. Honorable discharge Nov 1956. Bud married Neoma Cartwright of Drumright OK and has three daughters. He and Neoma reside in Sand Springs, OK.
Darrel E. Farrow enlisted in the Army in February 1958 and served as Helicopter Mechanic. One tour post war in Korea. Honorable discharge Feb 1961. SP4. Darrel married Billie Lou Hudson of Mannford and has two daughters. He and Billie Lou reside in Terlton OK.
Alvin (Duroc) next in line, failed to pass his physical for the Army due to a minor physical ailment. Alvin married Gerry Workman of Miami OK and has two sons and one daughter. They made their home in Terlton OK. Duroc deceased Mar 8, 2013.
Sister, Shirley Farrow Zickefoose and Husband Doyle (Buddy) Zickefoose’s have three sons and live in the Cleveland area. Their youngest son Patrick W. Zickefoose enlisted in the National Guard in 1983. He was TOW missile gunner. In 1985 he enlisted in the Army. He was based in Bamburg, Germany and Ft. Benning GA. He was ERP Specialist. Among his awards are the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Expert Marksman! Honorable discharge 1988 as E4.
Shirley and Buddy’s grandson Jesse W. Zickefoose, son of Troy and Trena Zickefoose, enlisted in the National Guard in 2002.
He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 with 160th Infantry Regiment. He did three tours in Afghanistan with a total of 24 months of combat time. In between tours in Afghanistan he was deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was discharged in 2008. Awards include National Defense Service Medal, Marksmanship Qualification with grenade, Marksman Marksmanship Qualification with rifle BAR, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device.
Grandson, Ryan Hoback. Son of Kristy Hardison and step son of Partick Zickefoose enlisted in the Air Force in 2014 and is currently stationed at Pope Air Force Base in NC. Air Transportation Specialist E3.
Sister, Patricia (Pat) Farrow Riley is married to Gene Riley. They live in Mannford. She has two daughters and one son and Gene has two daughters and one son.
Jesse L. Farrow was drafted into the Army March 1966, serving most of his stint in Germany in Intelligence. He Received an honorable discharge in 1968 as PFC. Jesse married Judy Rainey of Sand Springs OK and lived in Bixby OK, where Judy still resides. Judy has 1 daughter and 1 son. Jesse deceased Dec 1, 2002.
Jimmy D. Farrow did not serve in the military as he married young and started a family. He married Linda Sweat and has 1 daughter and 2 sons and lives in Sand Springs OK.
Jimmy’s grandson, Dillon Farrow, son of Tiffany Pollard and Sean Farrow is currently serving in the Army based in Ft Benning GA. Rank E4.
Brothers served continually from 1944 to 1968 in all four branches of the military with descendants still serving. We are a very patriotic family. Proud of our country and Old Glory! Long may She wave!