John Henry Farmer went to meet his Heavenly father on April 26, 2011. Mr. Farmer passed away at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Syble Pouncey Farmer, three daughters, Henrietta Farmer Johnson (Douglas), Christine Virginia Jordan (Larry), and Evelyn Muriel Harden (Kenny), 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
A viewing for friends will held at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, at Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home 812 W. Commerce Street, Greenville, Alabama. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 Friday morning at Dunklin & Daniels with Reverends Joe Bradford and Jonathan Duke officiating. Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery, Greenville, Alabama.
John's 92 years encompassed many storied occupations. He worked at a dairy in his orphan home years, farmed as a young man, and joined the U.S. Army prior to World War Two. When the U.S. entered the war, John helped train others for combat. He was accorded the Purple Heart for his wounds received in Italy while serving in General Patton's 8th Army. He worked for the State of Alabama, Firestone Tire and Rubber, Gulf Life Insurance (from which he retired), the U. S. Postal Service, and Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home.
John believed in civic duty, patriotism, and service to others. He was a founder of the Butler County Rescue Squad (he took great pride in having delivered several babies in less-than-ideal circumstances); was a Lifetime Member and Past Master of Eureka Lodge 64 in Greenville, Alabama; a long standing member of Greenville's Chapter 197, Order of the Eastern Star; and served as an ordained Deacon of Liberty Baptist Church, Greenville, Alabama.
All who knew John Farmer well understood his priorities: God, family and country. His faith in Jesus Christ served as the underpinning of all he did. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him to be a man of his word who had an exceptional sense of humor and loved to smile and play games with them. John was proud of being a veteran and counted his Honor Flight to see the World War Two Memorial a high point in his life. His respect for our nation and its flag were understood by all who spoke with him for any length of time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family wishes to express its heart-felt thanks to VistaCare Hospice for the tender and loving care shown by its representatives to Mr. Farmer.