John Farmer's Obituary
There is no way to describe the loss our family is feeling at this time. Our husband, father, and friend John Farmer, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
John was born in Hammond, Indiana on May 2, 1941 to Lloyd and Stella May (Hemphill) Farmer. After living his early years as a self-described hoodlum, John got a job as an orderly at St. James Hospital in Chicago at the age of 16. He worked hard and completed training in the new field of Inhalation Therapy, becoming just the 150
th
Registered Inhalation Therapist in the United States.
At that time John went to work for American Medical Oxygen Sales and Service and became the State Director for Wisconsin before moving to Muskegon, where he worked as a contracted manager at Mercy Hospital. John was also instrumental in establishing the school for Respiratory Therapy at Muskegon Community College and helping train many who came through the school by offering the clinical portion of their training at the hospital. He remained on the school's advisory board for nearly twenty years.
In 1987, John developed and helped implement Mercy Hospital's Pulmonary outpatient rehabilitation program. By the time of his retirement in 1996 he was the director of respiratory therapy for both Mercy and Hackley Hospitals.
John worked from the beginning of Inhalation Therapy and through the growth of Respiratory Therapy as the field instituted many new protocols leading to the excellent standard of care that is offered in hospitals today.
Although he wore a suit and tie to work, outside of work John took fashion tips from no one. He spent his days wearing his favorite bib overalls or shorts with suspenders and, of course, his favorite Tilly hat.
John was a very active man and avid outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed shooting his bow at the Muskegon Bowmen's Club -where he had been a member for over 40 years-
and in the attic at home! He loved riding his bicycle including week long bike trips in his younger days but continued to ride on the Muskegon Bike Trail, often riding at least 15 miles per day. He loved hunting and fishing with his sons and his grandsons as well as pistol target shooting as a member of the Twin Lake Gun Club and the Fox Lake Rod & Gun Club.
At home John was always quick with a cup of hot tea for all visitors and loved to share stories and laughs with those who stopped by. He greatly enjoyed playing his accordion for himself and anyone else who would listen and made cds for family and friends whether they wanted them or not. By far his favorite thing to do was to lie on the floor with a big dog.
John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol Farmer, along with their children: Sharon and David Krehn, Phillip and Sheree Farmer, Vern and Penny Farmer, Mike and Kim Farmer, and Jamie and Jack Page. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Corey and Corrine Farmer, Brett and Catherine Farmer, Chris and Lenel Farmer, Darcy Farmer, Madison Page, Matthew Farmer, and Logan Page as well as six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. John will also be missed by his first wife, Janice Kish, and a special friend, Ron Mudge.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Stella May, his brother, Rick, and two grandchildren, Racheul and Jermie Krehn.
The family will be welcoming friends and family for visitation from 1:00-4:00 pm with a time of memory sharing staring at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the Muskegon Bowmen Archery Club, 2380 Central Road, Muskegon, MI 49445.
If you are interested in making a charitable donation in John's name please consider either the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?