Jack Lee Farmer, age 89, of Wayland, died Thursday, June 29.
He was born Dec.11, 1933, in DeKalb, IN, an only child to Clifford and Wanda (Brandon) Farmer. Jack attended Otsego Public Schools. He married the love of his life, (Stella) Marie Lewis, on Jan. 14, 1955, renewing their vows for their 50th anniversary.
They settled locally in Wayland, and raised four sons: Gregory, Jack, Randy and Dennis. Jack was a loving husband, father, and son; he loyally picked up his widowed mother every Sunday for family dinners at his home.
Jack was employed by General Motors Stamping Plant, 36th Street, Wyoming, MI, for 26 years, retiring in 1991. After retirement, he volunteered for the Leighton Township Fire Department and in 2017, he was recognized with much fanfare for his many years of service. He also enjoyed time spent at Ron’s Towing, where he would have his daily coffee and chat about what’s happening in the community.
Jack was meticulous about mowing his lawn, waxing his vehicles, and keeping his possessions in pristine condition. He loved playing with his toys; voluntarily plowing snow for friends and family just to stay out longer; proudly driving his convertible in parades with the grandkids; taking his boat out for fishing; and snowmobiling; and never missed an opportunity to show off his driving talents.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, Dale Earnhardt was his favorite. He frequently took long drives to pop in on friends and family, regularly stopping in to talk gears with the Gun Lake Boys at the “Bike Barn”. He was always eager to share a story about mopar and muscle, and followed up with an I-told-you-so grin and a twinkle in his eye, whenever he had the opportunity to show you first hand.
Jack is survived by (Stella) Marie, his wife of 68 years, and their four children: Gregory Farmer (Delton), Jack and Betty Farmer (Wayland), Randy and Margie Farmer (Dorr), and Dennis Farmer and Denise Clelland (Hopkins). Also surviving are twelve grandchildren: Nicole, Jack, Angela, Amanda, Stephanie, Rachael, Clifford, Ryan, Rabeca, Bobbi, Kati, and Tommy; twenty-seven great grandchildren; and three great, great grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Wanda; parent in-laws: Theodore and Margarett Lewis; sibling in-laws: Harold and Norma Lenz; Jack Mead and Delores Engle; Larry and Patricia Wolthuis; (Emery) Ben Lewis; and Nancy LaFountain.
A celebration of Jack’s life is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Wayland VFW post #7581.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution, please consider the Leighton Township Fire Department and their first responders, or a charity of your choice.
