Latimer C. Farr Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Venice Friday, Dec. 7, 2012.

Latimer was born July 27, 1928, in Wauchula, Fla., to Latimer and Lois (Winchester) Farr. He attended school in Wauchula and graduated from Fort Meade High School. He attended Mars Hill College and obtained his degree from Mercer University. Latimer served in the U.S. Army for 17 years in both active and reserve duty, including active duty as a captain in Korea during the Korean War.

Latimer married Marilyn Kennedy of Bartow, Fla., Oct. 14, 1956. They lived in Ocala, Miami, West Palm Beach and Venice during their marriage.

Lat began his insurance career in 1956 and ended his insurance career in 1992 with the sale of his large, independent insurance agency in West Palm Beach. He had a lifelong passion for insurance and was a recognized authority in insurance contracts. He was a published author in many trade journals and Newsweek magazine. He was also an insurance professor at Florida Atlantic University.

Latimer was a fifth-generation Floridian and enjoyed everything about Florida, including fishing, hunting, camping and the Florida Gators.

Lat also had a lifelong love of growing roses. He was a master gardener and authored “The Southern Rose,” which is considered the gardener’s bible for growing roses in South Florida. He volunteered and lectured extensively at Mounts Botanical Garden and donated his book proceeds to the Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society. Even today, his yard has beautiful blooming roses.

Lat grew up in the First Baptist Church of Wauchula and was a longtime member and deacon of First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, and a member of First Baptist Church in Venice for the past eight years.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; and his son, Latimer C. Farr III, his wife, Cindy, and their three sons, Latimer (Casey) Farr IV, Tommy and Michael, of Venice. He is also survived by his daughter, Merri Lynn Day, of West Palm Beach, and her children, Vallarie, Dustin, Kaylie and Aiden; a niece, Leslie Reel, of Tampa; and a nephew, Mark Warner, of Bluefield, W.Va.

Services: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Farley Funeral Home, Venice. To send condolences, visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.

Contributions: The family has requested memorials donations be made to the Venice First Baptist Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.