Ray Campbell Farmer

Ray Campbell Farmer passed away on October 23, 2023. He was born April 20, 1934 in Catawba County. He was the 7th and youngest child of Joel Grover Farmer and Ethel Campbell Farmer. He grew up in Campobello, SC and spent time in Landrum, SC before moving to Bessemer City, NC. The youngest of six brothers and one sister, his childhood spared no shortage of bird dogs, hunting and quirky pictures of him sporting suits with the bird dogs at his side. Quick witted from a young age, 11-yr old Ray once smooth talked his way onto a bus and made the 66 mile trek from Bessemer City back to Campobello to visit relatives.

Ray was an unforgettable bass singer and sang in numerous quartets, including Tri City Quartet in Shelby, NC and Goodwill Quartet in Gastonia. As if his immense love of song couldn’t deepen any further, he met his alto wife singing along the quartet circuit. They harmonized and composed a beautiful life together for 60 years.

He graduated with the “Wittiest” superlative from Bessemer City High School, attended Clevenger Business College in Marion, NC and graduated from Evans Business College in Gastonia earning a Junior Accountant Diploma. Ray managed accounting for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, SunDrop Bottling Co. and Western Auto during the many years of work his health allowed.

While serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 20. He was transferred to the Army/Navy hospital in Hot Springs, AK where he received an honorable medical discharge. In spite of the extreme daily pain he endured, he always had a humorous attitude and kept people in stitches with his quick, hilarious wit and endless one-liners. You could spot him (beneath the red hat and white beard) as Gastonia’s local Sears Santa for years, a beloved holiday tradition he would carry on through his entire life. He continued spreading joy and laughter through the art of crochet as a tenured teacher and volunteer at the Gaston County Office of Aging.

Ray made a lasting impact on every single person he met. To know Ray was to know his fondness for days on a warm beach, his love of camping with friends in the mountains, and his joyful love language through clever pranks. Being in Ray’s presence for more than two seconds resulted in uncontrollable laughter and left you feeling loved, cherished and seen.

He was a born again Christian who loved Jesus deeply and was a faithful member of Westview Baptist Church and former member of Taylor Memorial Baptist, serving as Deacon and Treasurer.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Cecile Frisbee Farmer, his parents and six older siblings, Gladys Holland, Johnie, Robert, Joel, Clyde and Dewey Farmer. Left to cherish his memories are his two sons, Timothy Ray Farmer (wife Georgia) of Richmond, VA and Brent Eric Farmer (wife Jill) of Gastonia. Four grandchildren, who were the love of his life, Shera St.Clair (fiance Simon), Sylas Ray (partner Leah), Kenzie Brielle (husband Alex) and Celia Lane Farmer.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park. The Celebration of Life Service will begin in the chapel at 3:00 pm and conclude at the graveside at Gaston Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westview Baptist Church, 3385 Fairview Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 7585716, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or http://woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com for the Farmer Family.