Dorman Neal Farmer, Sr.

The family will greet friends at a visitation Friday, Oct. 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South in Abilene. A funeral is planned at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at First Baptist Church of Abilene, 1333 N. 3rd Street, presided by Phil Christopher. Burial immediately following at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 US-277 Abilene, TX 79606.

Dorman Farmer was born April 27, 1926, in Fisher County and grew up in Abilene where he would spend his life and raise his family. The first-born son of Eugene Levi Farmer and Ida Mae Shelton Farmer, he graduated from Abilene High School in 1943 and joined the U.S Navy, serving in World War II and later in the Korean Conflict.

Stationed at Louisiana Tech, he completed the Navy V-12A program. Later graduated from Midshipman’s school at Columbia University in New York, serving on the U.S.S. Teal (AVP-5). In 1946, he was aboard the command ship U.S.S. Cumberland Sound (AV-17) for Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll, for the testing of the atomic bomb.

After the war, he enrolled at the University of Texas graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, becoming the first member of his family to earn a degree and becoming a lifelong Texas Longhorn fan. Family and friends learned to expect his enthusiastic, “How about that sports fans!” after Longhorns victories.

After returning to Abilene, Dorman became an independent geologist. More importantly, he soon met Sarah Craig while on an elevator. The couple married in 1955 and together had three children, Neal, Dorsi, and D'Anne. Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away at the age 32, just eight years later, leaving Dorman to raise three children ages 5, 4, and 3 years old.

Life as single father in the early 60’s was a tough road, but he remained dedicated and focused on raising his children, whom he adored. Dr. Jake and Jackie Barron, his best friends, became a second family to the Farmer brood. A decade later, it was Jackie who set him up on a date with Marian Penrod Spence. They dated for six months before they married June 27, 1973, combining the Farmer and Spence families. Together, Dorman and Marian travelled the world with good friends known as “the Board”. Dorman was widowed a second time when Marian passed in 2020, just a few months before their 47th wedding anniversary.

Active professionally Dorman owned and operated Fargo Exploration Co. from 1957 until his retirement in 2018. As an AIPG Certified Professional Geologist, he was a charter member of the local AIPG chapter and a member the Abilene Geological Society. He was also a member of the West Central Texas Oil & Gas Association, a deacon at First Baptist Church in Abilene, on the Hendrick Medical Center Board of Trustees and a Mason for over 75 years.

Dorman’s children learned their father’s lessons to live by: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all; nothing good happens after midnight; trust in God and do your best. He loved his family, the Lord, his friends, golfing, hunting and The Texas Longhorns.

Dorman was preceded in death by his parents, Gene & Ida Mae Farmer, and four siblings: Irma Gene Henson, Guy Farmer, Virginia Wise and Gloria May McCorkle.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife Sarah Craig Farmer, and by his wife of 46 years, Marian Penrod Farmer.

He is survived by five children: Randy Spence (Vicki), Penny Spence Pittman (Cory), Neal Farmer, Dorsi Farmer Faulkner (Von), and D'Anne Farmer; and by eight grandchildren: Whitney

Spence Aguirre (Eddie), Erin Spence, Spence Pittman, Michael Faulkner Catanese (Nick), Dylan Faulkner, Taylor Pittman, Caitlin Farmer Brust (Bo), and Rory Farmer. Also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Brennon Aguirre, Madelyn Aguirre, Caden Catanese, Charlee Catanese, Liam Cervera Pittman, Eliana Cervera Pittman, and Elizabeth Quinn Brust.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Dorman’s special angels for their compassionate care and love: Nancy Sandoval, Nina Beasley, nurse Leslie Boggess with Kinder Hearts, Ashley New, Lucinda Williams-Turner and Rachael Guerrero.

Pallbearers: Rory Farmer, Spence Pittman, Cory Pittman, Von Faulkner, Eddie Aguirre, Nicholas Catanese. Honorary Pallbearers: Byron Penrod, Allan Frizzell, Gilbert Korman.

Those wishing to honor Dorman Farmer’s life may do so through their gifts to Disability Resources, Inc., https://driabilene.org/ or 3602 N Clack St. Abilene, TX 79601 or the Embrace the Ruck Foundation https://www.embracetheruck.org/