J. Rex Farrior was born in 1896 near Chipley, FL. He attended the University of Florida, participating in football, baseball and track while pursuing a degree in teaching. Farrior served in World War I, and returned to UF in 1921 for law school. He graduated in 1924 and embarked on an illustrious legal career. Among his many accomplishments was the passage of legislation that required signatures on ballots in order to prevent repeat votes.
Farrior was president of the Florida Bar from 1975 to ‘76, where he initiated several member-oriented programs, enhanced continuing education and strengthened the organization’s relationship with judicial conferences. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Florida in 1964. Farrior passed away on August 22, 1999.