Lewis James Farmer

Mr. Lewis J. Farmer, Sr., 91, of 210 Hedrick Dr., Thomasville, NC, died on March 26, 2012 at the Hospice Home of the Piedmont in High Point, NC. He was born on February 23, 1921, in Charleston, SC, to the late Zack F. Farmer and Lucille N. Farmer. He lived in Charleston and in Andalusia, Alabama before moving to Lexington, NC in 1931 where he lived until 2000. He attended Lexington City Schools, graduated from Lexington High School in 1938, and The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in 1942. He served as a cryptographer in the US Army during WWII and as a military policeman in Japan and Korea after the war. He continued his military service as commander of the Lexington National Guard unit for five years and later received the rank of Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserves. He was an employee of the US Post Office for 35 years and president of Lewis J. Farmer Advertising Sales. He was a member of the American Legion, past president of the Lexington Optimist Club, and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. In retirement, he developed a great love of gardening and was known for his abundant and delicious tomatoes which he loved to share. Lewis was predeceased by his wife of forty-eight years, Frances C. Farmer. He is survived by three children: Markay F. Carter and husband, James Oliver Carter, of Wilmington, NC; Janet F. Hartley of High Point, NC; and Lewis James Farmer, Jr. of Lincolnton, NC; three grandchildren: Oliver Carter III (Virginia) and Frances C. Williams (Yates) of Wilmington, NC; and Davis C. Hartley of Raleigh, NC; a great-granddaughter, Virginia Carter Williams of Wilmington, NC; a sister-in-law, Gerda A. Farmer of Bossier City, LA; and a brother-in-law, Julian L. Coggins (Regina) of Kannapolis, NC; nephews: Robert B. Smith (Martha Ellen), Jerry F. Smith (Aurelia), Dan G. Smith (Sarah), and M. Steve Smith (Charlotte) all of Lexington, NC; Mark A. Farmer (Jill) of San Antonio, TX.; and J. Lamont Coggins, Jr. (Carolyn) of Kannapolis, NC; a niece, Linda F. Nance (Don) of Tulsa, OK; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Lewis was also predeceased by his sister, Eleanor F. Smith and her husband, R. Bruce Smith; his brother, Lt. Col. Jack N. Farmer; and Zack Farmer, a brother who died in childhood. A graveside service will be held at Lexington City Cemetery on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Frances C. Farmer Nursing Scholarship at Davidson County Community College, PO Box 1287, Lexington, NC 27292 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262-7009.