| Bio | Gregory A. Farmer, 75, Independence, was called up to pitch for God's team on April 16, 2015, after a 3 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. Greg was born Nov. 8, 1939, to J.O. Farmer and Estella Tudor Farmer in Independence, Mo. He graduated from Van Horn in 1957, the school's second graduating class. Growing up Greg was active in Boy Scouts earning the rank of Eagle and the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say where he took the name Little Swift Iron Messenger after his father. He earned so many merit badges he needed a second sash to display them all. Greg was also a successful local baseball player who spent his years playing in the Kiwanis, 3&2, American Legion, Ban Johnson, Senior 3&2 and local semi- professional leagues. After high school Greg attended the University of Tulsa (where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity) and Central Missouri State University, graduating from CMSU with a BA in Education in 1964 and a MS in Education in 1968. Greg taught in the Kansas City and Hickman Mills school districts for a total of 37 years and brought back the idea for a gifted education program after a summer program at Johns Hopkins University. He taught gifted education until his retirement in 2005. Greg spent his free time reading 100-plus books a year, conducting genealogical research, attending the Missouri state high school basketball championships for 48 straight years, coaching youth baseball, attending his kids' and grandkids' events and collecting everything from books to records to board games. Greg is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Janet Freeland Farmer of the home; children, Kirk Farmer (Lisa), Wendy Farmer Moser (David) and Kyle Farmer (April); sister, Gayle Farmer McSparren (Craig); grandchildren, Erin, Mitchell, Franki and Henry Farmer and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO. Memorial service to follow. Private family inurnment in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. Arr.: Floral Hills Funeral Home, (816) 353-1218. Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, Dignity Memorial
Published in Kansas City Star on Apr. 19, 2015 |
