Ernest “Ernie” Kent Farmer, 86, of Cape Girardeau Missouri passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 to join his beautiful and beloved wife to be with Jesus. Ernie was born on July 8, 1932 to Kent Farmer and Margaret (Shelton) Farmer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ernie served in the Air National Guard and the United States Airforce and was honorably discharged in 1956 from both.
Ernie attended St. Gregory’s High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He pursued his desire to teach, getting his undergraduate degree in 1956 from Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma where he attended under a basketball scholarship and majored in Social Science. He went onto attend the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia receiving his Master’s degree in 1958 majoring in Social Science.
In 1960 Ernie began his doctoral program at Michigan State University at East Lansing and Oklahoma State University. He taught at Southeast Missouri State University for over 30 years, specializing in Ancient Egyptian History, and during that time frame completed his doctorate in History. Ernie was married to Elizabeth “Liz” Katherine (Faust) Farmer on December 19, 1981.
They were married for 37 years. He and Liz served the Lord through their church, where he actively participated in the church choir and was a member of the Rivers of Joy group, singing gospel hymns. He served as the interim music leader and an interim member of the worship committee at his church.
He was also involved in the men’s breakfast and served the church through visitations, always encouraging the sick and dying through hymn singing and reading God’s Word. Additionally, they both assisted in planting the Fruitland Community Church. They were actively involved with the retired SEMO History Department monthly breakfasts.
Ernie’s passion in retirement was in playing golf, where he mentored others while developing lasting friendships. Ernie is survived by his three children from a previous marriage: two daughters, Debra E. Ault, Lynda Falconer (Lawrence) and one son, Bob Graves and with Liz he is survived by his three sons, Randall S. Moore (Natasha) of Jackson, Missouri, Michael L. Moore (Michelle) of Cape Girardeau, and Roger T. Moore of Saint Louis and a daughter, Veronica K. Boardrow of Perryville, Missouri; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Visitation will be held Wednesday January 30, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with memorial service immediately following at Bethany Baptist Church, Cape Girardeau officiated by Pastor Shawn Wasson. Graveside services will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fruitland Community Church (FCC) Missions or to Bethany Baptist Missions.
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