By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Lou Farrar, one of the winningest high school football coaches in the history of California died on Sunday at the age of 73.

The Charter Oak legend didn’t lose his battle with cancer as many say after a loved one passes away from this heinous affliction.

It’s actually quite the opposite.

Lou Farrar defeated cancer, because it can no longer make him sick, sad, fatigued or the long list of horrendous effects that come with it.

And cancer can’t take away a darn thing this giant of a man accomplished, both on and off a football field.

Farrar won 335 games, 35 or more league titles and CIF championships in 1985, 1998, 2001, 2008 and 2009.

Along with all the superlatives that can be directed Farrar’s way, the fact that he spent all his life and career at one school speaks volumes.

He also played and graduated through the system he’s overseen for half a century.

The impact Farrar had on thousands of players, including many that became coaches because of Farrar, will last for generations.

We did a story back in late July when ‘Big Lou’ was trying to find a match for a bone marrow transplant and a number of his former players told us stories about how Farrar, his coaches and his family completely changed the trajectory of their lives.

Many were headed down the wrong path and some just needed a second chance at life.

And Farrar gave it to them, but he also let them know that “while you start with a clean slate, we will be watching you. This is something you earn, not something you’re given.”

The huge majority took advantage of that new lease on life and they will forever be thankful to Farrar and his family.

This writer was lucky and honored to get the chance to speak to Farrar for 45 minutes on July 24th for a story on Big Lou’s battle with Leukemia.

And while obviously fatigued, Lou Farrar sat in a golf cart in the south end zone and watched his boys in blue take on Bishop Amat in a scrimmage.

Instead of talking about ‘this is what I need,’ Farrar spent most of the conversation talking about his passion to still impact lives, both as a football coach and in many cases a second father—or even a grandfather type role in his athlete’s lives, but he was also very intent on helping raise money for The City of Hope, because of the great and groundbreaking work they did for him and thousands of patients.

What stuck out most to this writer was Farrar’s answer to the question “what do you most want to continue to fight and live for?”

Farrar, within two seconds, said, “September 20th.”

Why September 20th?

That was some 57 days away.

In his answer, Farrar’s facial expression was both a smile and an attempt not to cry.

He said: “it’s our 50th wedding anniversary and my wife Nancy means everything to me.”

Farrar said his wife played so many roles in his life, all of them good.

And they included the title of being his ‘physician’s assistant,’ a cook with major skills making Italian food, as well as being his psychiatrist, best friend and wife.

He also said Nancy Farrar had the task of telling her husband things he might not want to hear, but needed to.

His 48-year old son, Dominic, is a very popular young man, and he’s not only Charter Oak’s athletic director, he’s been on his father’s sideline and coaching for his idol since graduating from the same school in 1989.

Dominic, his wife and children are so close with his parents, that they live next door.

Lou’s daughter Natalie, and her kids have also brought much joy to his life.

His longtime and loyal coaching staff meant the world to him.

Farrar has enjoyed so much success over a long period of time and when you do that with a bit of a swagger, not everyone is going to be a fan.

Make no mistake about it, though, Coach Farrar is immensely respected by his peers in the SGV football world, and that’s because of his longevity, sustained success and a lifetime’s dedication to bettering the lives of his young men both on and off the football field.

This moment reminds me of a famous anecdote about the 40th President of the United States, who was shot less than 70 days into his first term.

The president quipped to the medical staff just before anesthesia was administered, ‘I hope you’re all republicans,” and the surgeon, a devout member of the other party said, with a smile and sincerity in his eyes, “Mr. President, today, we’re all republicans.”

The same can easily be said about Lou Farrar.

Regardless if you liked, loved or despised Charter Oak football, it seems safe to say that “on behalf of the San Gabriel Valley, especially the football world, today, Mr. Farrar, we are all Charter Oak Chargers and we’re in great admiration of your longevity, success and the enormous impact you’ve had on so many lives.”

In his honor, if you’re capable, please consider making a donation in his name to City of Hope at this link: https://www.cityofhope.org/giving?fbclid=IwAR2z4f3RzoSuzU5ath4ozt5zHQ_1Yl9IqisLp8UKkU-Kj0MistYZJT8j4iU

When Farrar told his players about the uphill battle that was going to take up most of his time and focus, he said selflessly, ‘they might not save my life, but if we can raise money so a kid with cancer today can live to 73 like me, then I’ve done my job.’

Dominic Farrar, in that same July 24th interview, said his father posed a question early in his life that still resonates in his mind some three decades or so later.

“He said when I was very young to ask myself, will it matter that I was?”

Coach Farrar, it (you) mattered far more than you will ever know.

To his wife Nancy, two children, as well as his grandchildren, players and coaches, past and present, thank you for sharing your bigger than life leader with the entire San Gabriel Valley for the past 50 years.

It’s not popular to ask a reader to view another site, but please go to the SGV Tribune’s page and check out the amazing photo gallery and notes that the area’s best photographer, Keith Birmingham put together in honor of Farrar and his program.