March 7, 1939 – January 18, 2026
Michael Farmer, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, with his wife, Marie Farmer, and daughter Erin Farmer, by his side. He was born in 1939 in Oakland, California to Frank and Druid Farmer. Michael attended UC Berkeley but took a long hiatus from his education to work in business management. He resumed his education decades later, earning his BA and MA in English from Cal State Fullerton. Upon earning his teaching credential, he discovered his true vocation as an English teacher at WC Overfelt High School in San Jose. He was passionate about teaching and loved sharing ideas and classroom experiences with his daughter Erin, who was also discovering the joys of teaching and literature while attending graduate school.
In addition to reading and teaching, Michael had many passions, including listening to music of all kinds, attending bluegrass festivals and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland with his wife Marie, spending time at the family cabin in Grizzly Flats, collecting rare books, and drinking coffee and discussing the issues of the day with friends.
He will be remembered for his dazzling wit and capacious intellect, his whimsical humor and robust and unmistakable laugh, as well as his tenderness and sensitivity. He was much loved by animals of all kinds and could often be seen talking sweetly to them in a quiet corner at family gatherings.
Michael was predeceased by his sister Jeri Hope Douglas. He is survived by his wife, Marie Farmer, daughter Erin Farmer, daughter-in-law Lisa, and nieces Lorie Hope and Tanya Juhasz and their families, and former wife Dianne Farmer.
Private cremation will be followed by private family inurnment.