By Scott D. Johnston

Longtime Ocean Shores attorney John Lester Farra died last week after complications while undergoing heart surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, his family has confirmed. He was 75.

His daughter, Tayshia Farra of Kirkland, WA, said he passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 2, surrounded by his children. He was removed from life support after suffering significant complications during major heart surgery on Oct. 31.

A celebration of life is being planned for January 2018. More details will be published as they become available.

Farra was a 1969 graduate of Gonzaga University Law School, and started practice that same year as the first Aberdeen City Attorney. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 1965. He enjoyed a long legal career, mostly as a defense attorney in Grays Harbor County. He was also a city councilman in Aberdeen during the 1980s.

His daughter said he was “formidable as a criminal defense attorney and had an unwavering commitment to his clients … and was always liberal with providing free legal advice to help those in need. (He) was also a loving father and grandfather.”

Farra “had a passion for public service and helping at-risk youth through being a CASA and guardian et litem. He was an outspoken advocate for city improvements to Ocean Shores; he loved mixing things up where he could and ruffling feathers that he deemed needed ruffling,” she added.

He moved his law office to Ocean Shores in 2000, and in 2004, he married Jackie, who had retired to the beach in 1989. John and Jackie Farra divorced earlier this year. In 2009, she was elected to the first of two terms on the Ocean Shores City Council. He ran for council in 2011, but lost. In addition, John Farra currently is on the general election ballot as a candidate for Hospital District 2 Commission, Position 1.

“He cared about all his clients; his life was his work,” Jackie said. Asked how would like to be remembered, she replied with a grin, “As the greatest attorney the world ever saw!” She said she will share plans for a memorial event when they are finalized.

For the last several years, Farra was known as the “Shark of the Shores” for his Sunday afternoon radio broadcast on KOSW 91.3FM. His daughter explained that he “would give his liberal views on state, local and often federal politics and legislation. He had a vast knowledge of government and enjoyed long discussions with friends and family about how he thought things should be run.”

He is survived by his daughter Tayshia and son Ian (Jennifer). He was the doting Grandfather to Jack, Jace and Rowyn.