John Fred Farmer, of Harrison, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Hillcrest Nursing Home.  He was 96 years old.

He was one of eight children born to William Vascoe Farmer and Arminta Risley Farmer on July 26, 1927 at Peel, Arkansas.  He was a 1946 graduate of Lead Hill High School and had lived in Boone County most of his life. He was a member of the Highway Church of Christ.  Fred served his country proudly in the US Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.

Fred met the love of his life on a blind date at a basketball game.  He married Clara "Evelyn" Thorne on August 22, 1959 and they were inseparable for 63 years until her passing on January 6, 2023. Their relationship was a perfect example of a loving marriage. They honored and respected each other in word and deed. Fred and Evelyn worked together as God fearing parents to raise their children and demonstrate daily their boundless love and patience.

Fred's kids state they could not have asked for a better dad or grandpa and treasure the blessing that both their parents were in their lives and the lives of others.  Friends in the community have remarked he was the most honest man they ever knew.

Fred was a hard-working provider for his family. He worked countless hours as a carpenter, building many area homes, as well as helping to build his church. He did not retire until he was 78 years old. It was very hard for him to give up working, but necessary to care for Evelyn.

He loved to make molasses, passing the skill onto his son; he also enjoyed watching sports, especially basketball. Fred had a gift for getting any baby to sleep and loved to tease and joke with his grandkids. He had enjoyed working with animals and raised rabbits with Evelyn. In his youth, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a skilled gardener and loved to play dominoes.

Fred loved his family very much and throughout his life until his passing, he never lost his optimism or joy of living.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Evelyn Farmer; a grandson, Jared Moore; his 7 siblings, Escal Ray Farmer, Avo Faye McBee, Wanda Wynona Hall, Helen Irene Tilton, W.B. "Dub" Farmer, Jr., Imogene Carter, and Thomas Wayne Farmer; and a son-in-law, Richard Chaney.

Fred is survived by his 8 children, Sharon Chaney, Katherine Tyler (Steven), Glenn Farmer (Michelle), Freda Trowbridge (Eddie), Marlene Moore (Richard), Greg Farmer (Tina), Velma Snowden (Jeff), and Minta DeVore (Troy); 15 grandchildren, Jennifer, Rick, Jonathan, Lacy, Glenna, Samantha, Eric, Tori, Grant, Brett, Kourtnie, Cami, Jonna, Emily, and Noah; 21 great grandchildren; and a host of extended relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be at 1:00 PM followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM both on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery.  Cullen Smith will officiate.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Rick Moore, Jonathan Trowbridge, Eric Chaney, Grant Farmer, Brett Snowden, and Noah DeVore.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Hillcrest Home for the loving care provided to Fred.

On-line condolences can be left at www.coffmanfh.com.