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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Longtime Galt leader passes on
Farrell remembered for shaping history of city
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Thomas A. Farrell Sept. 20, 1925 – March 31, 2008
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Thomas Anthony (T.A.) Farrell, 82, passed away on March 31, 2008. He was born on Sept. 20, 1925.
Farrell, a regular fixture in Galt’s culture for the past 50 years, will be fondly remembered for shaping the history of Galt’s development through his many hands-on activities in and around the city, including supporting kids and recreation, forwarding the development of business and community, and as the Lord Mayor of the city of Galt each St. Patrick’s Day for many years.
After graduating from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento in 1943, Farrell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. He served in the Pacific region and was fully discharged in 1946 as a sergeant. He attended UC Davis for two years, along with working in the Legislature Bill Room.
In 1954, Tom purchased a dairy farm in Galt and operated the dairy for more than 25 years. He then leased the farm and worked for El Dorado Savings as an expeditor until he retired.
Tom was always active in the Galt community, having served as a 4-H leader and a Little League coach. He proudly served on the Galt Recreation Board, Galt Fire Protection District and Galt Cemetery Board. He was a former member of the Galt Grange, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Valley Men’s Club and the Lodi Elks Lodge. He was also a member of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church and the Galt Area Historical Society.
Tom loved horseracing, having raised thoroughbreds and raced them throughout the states of California and Nevada. He also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, in which he was given the title of Lord Mayor when the City of Galt changed its name to the City of St. Patrick on March 17 in the 1970s. Tom always managed to paint a few green lines in the early morning hours, transforming C Street in downtown Galt into a path for the Irish, and evading the ever watchful eye of more than one Galt police chief determined to stop him.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas A. and Ida Farrell; son, Thomas A. Farrell III; sister, Ida Mae Magruder; and brother, Joseph D. Farrell.
Surviving Tom are his wife of 58 years, Janet; daughter, Toni J. Farrell; son, Shaun L. Farrell; four grandchildren, Grant, Matthew, Andrew and Thomas A. Farrell IV; and four nieces.
Tom will be greatly missed by his family and friends. At his request, his funeral service and burial was private.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, April 27 at the Littleton Community Center, 410 Civic Drive, Galt, beginning at 1 p.m. In his memory, donations may be made to the Galt Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 782, Galt, CA 95632, or to the charity of your choice.
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