Wayne Farthing Obituary

Wayne Wesley Farthing

Wayne Wesley Farthing died Monday, April 7, 2025, at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Wayne was born October 7, 1943, in Findlay to Hobart W. and Nina B. (Smith) Farthing. After graduating from Findlay High School, Wayne studied at Findlay College. On June 27, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Tamara Jean Hunt, and they moved to East Lansing, Michigan, where Wayne completed his bachelor's degree in animal husbandry at Michigan State University. Wayne's early career took him to Austin, Minnesota, where he was a buyer for Hormel. After their first two sons were born, Wayne and Tammy returned to Findlay, where he joined his parents at Farthing Real Estate & Auctioneers in 1969. He would become president in 1988. He was a graduate of the Reppert School of Auctioneering. Wayne conducted hundreds of livestock, farm, real estate, and personal property auctions throughout his career and was still a licensed Real Estate Broker at the time of his death. In 2020, he was inducted into Hancock County Agriculture Society Hall of Fame.

Wayne had a passion for animal genetics and breeding. For many years, he raised sheep, but his greatest love was standardbred racehorses. Wayne was a partner in The Broken Brokers, LLC with his late friend Richard Barchent. Today, The Broken Brokers own more than 20 horses, and several new foals are expected soon. His horses usually had the word "Cash" somewhere in their name. He was especially proud of his partial ownership of Tactical Landing bloodlines.

Beyond livestock and horses, Wayne loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and trapper. He spent countless hours trapping with his friend, Bill Woolum. A highlight for him was the many annual fly-in fishing trips he took with some of his sons and his friends to Northern Ontario. He was a fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and University of Findlay Oilers.

Wayne was a Christian and a devoted member of College First Church of God in Findlay.

In addition to his wife, Tamara, Wayne is survived by his sons, Tad (Jessica) Farthing, Findlay, Travis (Natalie) Farthing, Findlay, Trent (Allison) Farthing, Findlay, and Troy (Emily) Farthing, Arlington. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Melissa, Gabriel, Nathaniel, Henry and Sawyer Farthing; and two stepgrandchildren, Molli (Nathan) Friese, and Eli Patterson. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon (Paul) Haight; two nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Nina Farthing; and an infant sister, Annette.

He deeply loved all his grandchildren, but there is no denying the special relationship and bond Wayne shared with his grandson Henry. They spent many hours together doing all sorts of farm chores, fishing, visiting the horse barn, talking about livestock, watching the Buckeyes, going to horse races, and just enjoying their time together.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mike Kerns and Marty Layne, devoted and caring friends until the end.

Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, and from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, with services to follow at the funeral home Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Donations in Wayne's memory may be made to College First Church of God or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.