Guy Otto Farmer II

Guy Otto Farmer II Jacksonville - Guy Otto Farmer II passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 81. Guy was born on January 7th, 1941, in Washington, D.C., son of Rose Marie Smith Farmer and Guy O. Farmer. When Guy was eight years old, he and his mother moved to Hamlin, West Virginia, his mother's birthplace, where Guy attended Lincoln County Schools, graduating from Hamlin High School in 1959. Throughout his life, Guy entertained family and friends with stories from his childhood about growing up in a small town with one stop light, where no one was a stranger, and his phone number was a simple 40.

Guy left Hamlin to attend West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he earned a B.A. degree in Political Science and graduated with highest honors in 1963. There, he met his wife of 60 years, and they married in 1962. Inspired by his maternal grandfather, Jacob D. Smith, a small-town lawyer, and his father, a preeminent Washington, D.C., labor lawyer, Guy attended the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1966.

Guy began his career as a practicing attorney with Mahoney, Hadlow, Chambers and Adams where he specialized in Labor and Employment Law, becoming a partner in 1971. Throughout his life, he credited his fifteen years there with his subsequent career successes. Professionally, Guy remained singularly focused on practicing law until his health forced his retirement in 2017. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers of America every year since its first publication. Just before his retirement, he was recognized for his 50 years as a practicing attorney by the Florida Bar. He was a scholar as well as a lawyer, publishing articles and participating in many educational seminars. As a labor and employment attorney, he was involved with hundreds of cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts throughout the country. Serving as an advocate in over 200 arbitrations for his clients, he later became a board-certified mediator and arbitrator and was on the employment panel of the American Arbitration Association.

He was a passionate sports fan devoted to his beloved West Virginia Mountaineers and Virginia Cavaliers. He was an even more passionate family man, devoted to his wife and children. His family will be forever grateful that family time was his priority. Travel and new experiences were shared adventures for the family and left a lifetime of memories. He never missed a game, race, match, concert or recital. However, the role he seemed born to play was "papa." He found great joy in being a grandfather to three granddaughters, and his best retirement days were spent with his grandchildren. They filled his life with love and pride as he became involved in their lives and activities. His family will remember him for his funny quips and ease with people. His generous, humble, forgiving, and loving spirit will live in their hearts forever.

Guy was predeceased by his father, Guy O. Farmer, and his mother, Rose Marie Smith. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Drema Houchins Farmer. Together they have two children, Caroline Farmer Morris and Guy O. Farmer III, and three grandchildren, Olivia Delaney Morris, Matilda Jean Morris, and Graham Elizabeth Morris. He is also survived by his in-laws, Gerald and Anna Weaver, and James and Barbara Houchins, as well as nieces and nephews, Cindy Ours (Tom), Andrew Weaver (Allison), Robert Weaver (Laura) and Patrick Weaver (Ellen).

A private service will be held in Monroe County, West Virginia, where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John's Country Day School online at SJCDS.net/give.