Thomas Joseph Farmer

Tommy Farmer of Sierra Madre, CA, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2016 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.

Tommy was born January 22, 1944 in West Grove, PA; to Avery and Eula Mae (Needham) Farmer of Creston, North Carolina.

He was raised in Creston. NC on the family farm with his siblings: Fred, James (Jim), and Lena Mae.

He was preceded in death by his father (Avery), mother (Eula Mae), brother James (Jim), and sister Lena Mae (Farmer) Pope.

Tommy graduated from River View High School and the started his career working with Ivey’s Dept. Store in Charlotte, NC. He was multi-talented and soon found that his passion was flower creation and design.

Tommy worked first in Atlanta, GA and then moved to Pasadena, CA, where he worked with Jacob Maarse and eventually opened his own business, (Tommy Farmer’s Studio), in San Marino, California.

Tommy was also proud that he had worked many years as an Art Director in the arts department of Walt Disney Company in Anaheim, CA and received many credits from Walt Disney.

Tommy also had the honor bestowed upon him of being a judge for the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2002.

Tommy leaves his brother Fred Farmer and wife Nancy of Charlotte, NC, half-sister Helen Shumate, Chilhowie, VA, sister-in-law Mary Ann Farmer, Raleigh, NC and nephews: Daniel James Farmer, Raleigh, NC, Billy Farmer, Charlotte, NC, John Pope, Cornelius, NC and Nieces: Teresa Farmer, Marietta, GA, and Jennifer (Pope) Balesky, Cornelius, NC.

Along with his long time companion Steve Carmona, friend Don Combs, as well as family and friends in North Carolina and California.

His friendly smile, talents, and love of life will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A graveside service will be held on May 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. for family and friends.

Interment will be at SunsetMemorial Park in Mountain City, TN.

Online Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.huxlipfordfh.com.

Professional services for the Farmer family are in the care of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home, Mountain City, TN.