Herman Franklin "Frank" Farmer

Herman Franklin "Frank" Farmer

August 28, 1935 – March 7, 2026

Herman Franklin 'Frank' Farmer was born August 28, 1935 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the 9th of 10 children.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Herman Farmer; his mother, Musetta Adams Farmer, siblings, Jesse Mack, Katherine Louise, John Henry Edward, Luster Melvin, Hanson Eugene, Dorothy Florence, George Lee, Barbara Ellen, and his loving wife of 64 years Judy. He is survived by his only remaining sibling Opal Estelle Farmer Scruggs of Nashville, Tennessee, both daughters, Debra Ann Cowart of Lebanon, Oregon, and Barbara Jo Jordan of Chugiak, Alaska, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Frank quit school in 8th grade in order to help support his family. At 21, he joined the Navy where he earned his G.E.D. He became an accomplished machinist and continued that career until his retirement, at which time he built his own state-of-the-art machine shop at his 10-acre farm in Lebanon, Oregon. He enjoyed working for himself as Frank Farmer Machine, helping friends and neighbors with odd jobs, making special items and kaleidoscopes for special family and friends.

He married his loving wife Judith Anna Vitkauskas on December 27, 1958, at the Naval Base in San Diego, California. Married for 64 years, they remained together until her death on March 31, 2023.

Frank was proud to serve his country, instilling that pride in his daughters, serving in the Navy from 1956-1960. During his service, his ship was deployed to the Marshall Islands, where Frank was exposed to 18 atomic tests in Operation Hardtack 1 and sworn to secrecy with the threat of court-martial if they spoke of it. The US Government declassified the atomic tests in 1996, but Frank and his shipmates were not notified of the declassification by their government.

In 2014, Frank walked into his local American Legion Post 51 in Lebanon and saw a sign asking, "Are you an Atomic Veteran?" He looked at Judy and said, "I wonder if that's me?" Judy knew nothing of the atomic tests until then because of them being classified. That's when he met Fred Schafer, and their friendship lasted until his death. Frank ultimately became Treasurer of the local chapter of NAAV, the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Frank was an active member of the Honor Guard for many years, participating in over 600 funerals in Oregon and Washington. He served as treasurer for the 40 & 8, then the CEO of the 40&8's Bingo. Served as a trustee of the American Legion.

On February 26, 2026, the Lebanon, Oregon, Post 51 American Legion Honor Guard drove to his home. They honored him with a Three-Volley Salute while he watched from his wheelchair in his front yard, next to his American Flag, which he proudly flew in his yard.

Frank had suffered from stage 5 kidney failure for more than 2 years, and finally passed on March 7, 2026, in his home, surrounded by his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Celebration of Life will be held May 30, 2026. Please join us for Military honors at 10:30 at the IOOF Cemetery and 12:00 noon meet for the celebration of life at the Lebanon American Legion post 51, 480 S Main Street, Lebanon, OR. Light lunch provided.