Full story, updated 5:30 p.m.:

Don Farquharson is the name of the homeless man who was found dead Saturday morning, Nov. 17, in the Ballard Commons Park, according to a man named Byron, who said he was friends with him for about thirty years.

According to Byron, Farquharson was in his fifties and was Eskimo and Tlingit. Farquharson was from Alaska, having grown up in Juneau and lived in Anchorage before coming down to Seattle. Before he became homeless, he was a longshoreman, Byron said. Farquharson has one son, DJ, who is 15 and lives in South Seattle, Byron said.

Byron said he was drinking alcohol with Farquharson last night, the night before he was found dead. Byron had left Farquharson at about 9:00 p.m., he said, and told Farquharson that he would come back. However, Byron said he had ran into a party and did not come back until the next morning, when he found the park taped off by police. It was then that Byron learned his friend had died sometime during the night.

"I said, 'What do you mean he's dead? I just saw him last night!" Byron said.

According to police, Farquharson was found dead earlier this morning. Police said he was a transient who frequented the park. No foul play was suspected and it appears the man died of natural causes.

Byron said he did not know why Farquharson died. He did not think it was cold enough to freeze to death. It was, however, raining consistently throughout the night, according to weather reports. Byron said that Farquharson was sleeping on the sidewalk.

According to two people who appeared homeless outside of the Ballard Branch Library, across from the park, Byron was intoxicated and appeared depressed at the Trinity United Methodist Church, where they had lunch. They said he was "really shook up" by it all.

Someone left flowers from Trader Joe's on the bench at Ballard Commons Park, presumably for Farquharson.

"He was caring, giving and very intellectual," Byron said. "He will be dearly missed."

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