Thomas Jack Farquhar

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Wednesday, 16 July 2014 12:01

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Lifelong Alaskan and former Sitka resident Thomas Jack Farquhar died July 6 at his home in Anchorage. He was 56.
A memorial service was held at Witzleben Chapel on Bragaw Street in Anchorage July 15. A 40-day party will be held on Aug. 16 at a time and place to be determined.
His family plans to spread his ashes in Sitka Sound.
Tom was born Oct. 6, 1957, in Sitka, the son of Emma Ann (Williams) and Lowell Farquhar. He was given the Tlingit name Deiyikt Aa (a Frog Sitting in the Trail) after Thom Phillips, an uncle to his maternal grandmother, Mary Williams (Kaasheech Tiaa).
He graduated from Sitka High School in 1975, and after college in Colorado he spent his career working as a mental health professional.
An inspirational Tlingit leader, Tom focused his work on substance abuse treatment. He worked at North Star Hospital, and at Providence Hospital, where he helped found the Breakthrough program offering substance abuse treatment. He also worked at South Central Foundation and helped found the award-winning Young Warriors, which offered cultural camps and other Native programs in dealing with substance abuse.
He served as vice president of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes. In 2004, he was made the hit s’aati (house master) at At Oowaxijee Hit (Strong House) of Kiksadi in Sitka. That same year, he was named after the warrior Katlian, who fought the Russians in the battle of 1804.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Charlene, Esther and Ruth; and a brother, Edward.
He is survived by his children, Jeremiah, Sheldon, Tiana, and Roderick Farquhar; his brother, Cyrus Farquhar; his sister, Helen Konig; and nephew Charles Farquhar, all of Anchorage. Many other loving relatives and friends also survive.

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