From a loving daughter....

Patrick Keven Farmer 3/22/1959 – 11/15/2006

Frank had a brother, Robert, who had six kids. Patrick was the third eldest. He died 4 years ago. This is some of the material read at his memorial service. These were supplied by Michelle, his sister and also the youngest of the bunch.

My Brother, My Friend
In Memory of
Patrick Keven Farmer
3/22/1959 – 11/15/2006

You were always there for me. Always asking me how I was doing, what I was up to and you asked with that certain smile and twinkle in your eyes that made me feel so special.

Now I am finding out that you had that same twinkle and smile for so many other people too. Which goes to show you how many people you made feel special, even through your own pain. I hope you know that you had that affect.

The other day I was running and I came upon a hill. I told myself that I wasn’t ready or trained and couldn’t make it up the hill. But then I heard you so clearly say, as you had said so many other times, “Yes you can Michele, you can make it.” Since I had believed you before so many times when you had said that, I went up the hill and made it. It really symbolized how many other times in my life when I had a goal and had a mountain to climb that I made it because of your constant encouragement and support. And I thank you for that.

And even though you’ll be missed in the physical sense, I know you’ll always be here as you are right now. For I can feel you and hear you in my heart. Thank you for being you and being such a big part of what made me who I am today. My brother, my friend.

The Twenty Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me; Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runeth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Judge Ye Not

Judge not thy brother’s failings,
Nor ever be the one
To hurl a stone at anything
That he has ever done.
Scorn not his humble efforts,
Nor cast him to the ground.
He may have just discovered
What thou has never found.

Harden not thy heart to tears
That often flow unbidden.
From lonely hearts within whose depths
So much love is hidden.
Set not thyself as a model,
Above they fellowman.
For charity an open doors.
That pride’s key never can.

Be not so self-righteous,
Thy foot can also fall….
No man who lives is blameless,
For sin has touched us all.
And God alone must judge us,
No man can be assigned.
Because the Lord alone can see
Within your heart….and mine.

- Grace E. Easley

The lyrics to the song played at his memorial:

Go Light Your World

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Goodbye Grandma (and Grandpa)

My father's mother, Gladys Farmer was 91 years old when she passed away yesterday of natural causes. There will be no funeral - her ashes will be spread into the ocean off the coast of Florida. She was a very spiritual person.

She joins my grandfather Frank Robert Farmer, who passed away more than a year ago.

I'll always remember growing up in Michigan and going to visit them on holidays for a big traditional meal and conversation - eating at the kid's table and having a great time. I also enjoyed it when I became old enough to participate in the recurrent informal Farmer Male Debates, typically about labor and economic issues. Refined my rhetorical skills arguing with my father and grandfather. Good times.

Odd, I'm the oldest in the family blood-line on my fathers side of the family now. Not real sure what I think about that.

Anyone who new my Grandpa or Grandma is welcome to comment.

Update September 2006: Both of them had their ashes spread off the coast of Florida.

A Great Gamer and a Prince of a Man has Left the Building

For those who haven't heard: On December 20th, David (Decker) Howard died suddenly of a massive brain aneurysm. He was in his late forties.

The wake will be at 8:00pm on New Years Eve (12/31) at his house in Indianapolis. It has been requested no flowers be sent; however, please send or bring any photos of good times with David.





He was a part of the community that I think of as centered (at least for a little while) around SPB and my father's open heart and our home, so I'm leaving a memorial here on my fathers memorial blog. [This short summary will be replaced with a larger tribute post after the wake.]

I looked up to Dave in so many ways when I was younger. It's disorienting to lose those you respect the most.

The stories forwarded by folks of my dad were awesome and inspiring. If you'd like to leave a comment or send me an email of thoughts you'd like posted, I'd be very happy to add them to this post.

Mom and Dad during the late 1970s

This photo captures how I most often recall my parents, when they had the largest effect on my life.

Happy Father's Day!

Miss ya, guy.

Randy

Another Year...

Happy 65^th, Dad.

I was lucky enough to visit with the SPB gang in Michigan this year. It would have been awesome for you to be there, and we remembered you with a toast.

Liz was able to let go just enough to arrange for your ashes to be spread out to sea, as we're sure you wanted. We hope it will be soon.

We all miss you.

Rest in Peace, man.

Your son,
Randy