Charles E. Farmer

Dr. Charles E. Farmer passed away of natural causes at the age of 80 on January 3, 2016. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death at his home in Clinton, Miss. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton. Visitation will resume at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Clinton with Funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at The Clinton Cemetery. Dr. Farmer was born on February 4, 1935 in Columbus, Mississippi where he was raised by his parents, Charles Emerson and Mary Lee Farmer. He served as Senior Class President and graduated from S.D. Lee High School in 1952. Upon graduating from high school he enrolled at Mississippi College. While at MC, Dr. Farmer earned three varsity letters in football and two in baseball. In 1992 Mississippi College awarded him the Order of the Golden Arrow Award. He was inducted into the Mississippi College Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Dr. Farmer began his medical career as a student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. He was a member of the first class of medical students to train their entire 4 years of medical school at its current location in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) from UMC in 1959. After graduating from Medical School, Dr. Farmer attended The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he completed 5 years of training as an Intern and Surgery Resident. He then joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida from 1964-1966. Once his military commitment was fulfilled he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and completed a fellowship in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery from 1966-1968 at Marquette School of Medicine. During his tenure in Arkansas, Dr. Farmer met the love of his life and his future wife, Kay Bragg. They were married and began a family while in Arkansas. After the completion of his training in Milwaukee, the family moved back to Jackson, Miss. for Dr. Farmer to begin a long career in General, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery. Dr. Farmer was on the surgical staff at Hinds General Hospital. While at Hinds General Hospital he served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery and a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Farmer was also on the surgical staff at St. Dominic's, River Oaks, and Rankin County Hospitals. In 1976 Dr. Farmer introduced Gastric Bypass Surgery to the State of Mississippi and performed over five hundred Bypass procedures. Dr. Farmer was a strong proponent of medical education and frequently had a Family Medicine Resident with him on his service. He had a 28 year career in Surgery until a traumatic hand injury ended his surgical career. After the injury, Dr. Farmer worked briefly at the Veteran's Hospital in Jackson. He then worked at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility for seven years. He eventually ended his medical career after working for the Health Systems of Mississippi as a review physician for the Division of Medicaid. Dr. Farmer resided in Clinton, MS and was an avid sports fan. He served as team physician for the Clinton Arrows during the 1970's and 1980's. He also volunteered as team physician for the Mississippi College Choctaws throughout his career. He was elected to the Board of Aldermen for the City of Clinton for multiple terms. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Dr. Farmer was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Clinton. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and as a Lay Leader. His proudest accomplishment was that each of his children came to know Jesus at this church. Dr. Farmer was preceded in death by his mother and father: Mary Lee and Charles Emerson Farmer Sr. of Columbus. He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Lucas of Columbus, Miss. and Billie Lynn Dunn of Clarksdale, Miss. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kay Bragg Farmer. He is also survived by all five of his sons: Dr. Charles E. Farmer III (Lee) of Pensacola, Fla.; G. Bragg Farmer (Domenica) of Niceville, Fla.; James (Jim) A.S. Farmer (Dana) of Madison, Miss., Dr. Michael C. Farmer (Susan) of Hattiesburg, Miss.; and Dr. William (Bill) M. Farmer (Shae) of Hattiesburg, Miss. He also is survived by fourteen grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to Fresenius South West Jackson, Dorothy Williams, his caregiver, Dr. Murphy Martin, and all their friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to First United Methodist Church Pipe Organ Fund.