Charles Eugene Farmer, age 72, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on March 6, 2024, at Cox Medical Center South, with family by his side. Charles was born to Leo and Lois (Hurst) Farmer on August 21, 1951, in Springfield, Missouri. Charles was raised in Springfield and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1969. During high school, Charles excelled in sports and was a varsity letterman in baseball. On October 14, 1988, Charles was united in marriage to Rita Gardner. The couple celebrated their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary last October.

Charles proudly entered the United States Air Force on December 29, 1970, in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles attained the rank of sergeant on October 1, 1972. On April 20, 1974, he was honorably discharged after faithfully serving America for 3 years, 3 months, and 22 days. Charles fulfilled his military obligation as a reservist on December 28, 1976. While serving in the United States Air Force, Charles earned the National Defense Service Medal (aka Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal) and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. For more than ten years, Charles was an active member of the United States Naval Construction Battalion—better known as the Navy Seabees.

After his military service, Charles returned to Springfield where he worked on the production line at Zenith. After several years of dedicated employment, Charles left Zenith to become a railroad machinist for Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific. He retired from Union Pacific after 17 years of distinguished service. Charles lived his life to the fullest by spending quality time with family and friends, fishing, and watching sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. He had a fondness for classic cars, soothing music, and the Andy Griffith Show. His legacy of hard work, unconditional love for family, and quiet solitude will live forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Lois Farmer, and his brother, Clifford Farmer. He is survived by his wife, Rita Farmer; son, Rob Edwards and his wife, Beth; daughter, Shannon Young and her husband, Tim; daughter, Brooke Jones; son, Anthony Farmer and his wife, Allison; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Brenda Farmer; and cousin, Janice Hurst. He is also survived by a host of extended family and friends.

The Farmer family will host a visitation on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. A graveside service, including full military honors, will be held immediately following the visitation at 3:00 pm in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. There will be a formal procession from the funeral home to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Charles’ memory to the Weekend Backpack Program, a partnership between Springfield Public Schools and Ozarks Food Harvest.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri.