Melvin Lee Farmer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, was born on February 18, 1938, in Castleford, Idaho. He died on December 19, 2024, in Johnson City, TN. Mel shared a beautiful sixty-five years of marriage with his wife, Rosemary Thomas Farmer.
After graduating from Nampa High School (Nampa, Id), he enrolled as an undergraduate at Harvard College where he was a member of Eliot House and the Harvard Class of 1960, earning a B.A. cum laude in Chemistry. Mel continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he completed his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1964.
For most of his professional life, Mel worked for Union Carbide in various places across Asia, including Bangkok, Jakarta, Seoul, and Singapore. After retiring in Singapore, he and Rosemary returned to the US to care for Rosemary’s parents in Conway, AK, and later joined family in Johnson City, TN.
A faithful member of Hopwood Christian Church, Melvin wanted to welcome and to come to know everyone he met. He was exceptionally generous with his time and resources. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Delmer and Florence Farmer, along with his brother Wayne Farmer. He leaves behind his wife, Rosemary Farmer; son Craig and wife Meg, (Johnson City); daughter Shelley Rees and husband David (Redford, MI); son Paul (Johnson City); and daughter Marcia (Claremont, CA). Mel was a proud grandfather to Adam, Peter, Claire, Emma, Matthew, Gabriel, Jaime, Zoe, Camilla, Chloe, Emalee, Jesse, Damian, Hayden, and Roxanna. Mel and Rosemary also have fourteen great-grandchildren.
Mel is survived by many wonderful in-laws, including Bob and Martha Thomas, Elaine and John Harris, and Don Thomas. Mel was especially close to his in-laws Ted and JaneAnne Thomas of Johnson City. Mel had many dear nephews and nieces from the Thomas family. Melody Thomas Zobel of Blacksburg, VA was a special comfort to him. He is also survived by his brother’s widow, Kathy Farmer, and her two daughters Carlene and Becky.
Rosemary and Mel’s family are especially grateful to Dr. Rachel Monderer and Pastors Tim Ross, Ben Lee, and Laura Buffington for their unwavering support and care. The family is also grateful to Carla Dunn and the entire staff of Dominion Senior Living.
Melvin’s life was celebrated in a memorial service held at Hopwood Christian Church on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Family and friends were invited to offer comfort to the family, and to honor a gentle man who touched so many lives. Melvin was laid to rest at West Lawn Cemetery in Johnson City, TN.
For those wishing to honor Mel, memorial gifts may be made to the Hopwood Christian Church Building Fund or to The Melvin and Rosemary Scholarship for Asian Students at Milligan University, Milligan, TN.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.
