John N. Farmer

John N Farmer, 81, peacefully entered into rest on Saturday June 8, 2024, at Wellspan York Hospital. He was the husband of Kimberly A (Hake) Farmer to whom he was married 16 years; they were together for 26 years.
Keffer Funeral Home & Crematory located at 902 Mt. Rose Ave, York, PA 17403 will handle the arrangements. Visitation and viewing will be held on Tuesday June 18th from 1:00 – 3:00 PM and 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Interment will be at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens.
Born September 16, 1942 in Sparks MD and raised in southern York county he was the son of the late Earl L. and Okie R. (Barker) from whom he gained his love of music, which was an important part of his life from an early age. John came from a large family where music was a big part of everyday life. He learned to play the banjo and guitar in his early years and picked up the resophonic guitar (Dobro)in 1959. All three instruments were an important part of his musical journey. John recorded a Dobro CD of mostly original music and did session work for other artists. Over the years he worked and toured with many famous names in bluegrass including Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Vassar Clements, Marty Stewart, Mac Wiseman, Josh Graves and Del McCoury to name a few. John appeared in the movie entitled Bluegrass Country Soul, which captured the sights and sounds of Carlton Haney's 1971 Labor Day Festival in Camp Springs, North Carolina. He also worked with many local bands including the Carolina Gentlemen, Keystone, Bluestone and John Farmers Poverty Band. His greatest musical gift was teaching private lessons and passing his love of music to the hundreds of students he taught during his 65 year teaching career.
John also had a love for antiques. He and his brother Steve started Farmer Bros. Auction in 1972, and they continued as partners for many years running local auctions. He was a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University in 1975 and lectured on the fine points of the appraisal business for college extension programs since 2002. He had been a certified appraiser since 1999. John and Kim spent many hours searching for great antiques to sell online.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Farmer is survived by his brother Steve Farmer and his wife Nancy of York, PA, one sister Shirley Farmer Famous of East Machias Maine and his granddaughter Chelsy Moats (Chris) of York; three great-grandchildren, Ivan, Cleo and Eli Moats and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his son Stacey Farmer and siblings Harvey Farmer, Virgie Cave, Grace Miles, Irene Moscufo, Thelma Lockmiller, Sylvia Thomas and David Farmer.
The family would like to thank the staff at York South Nursing and Rehab for their kindness in caring for John over the past year and the Wellspan York Hospital ER and 5th floor South medical and nursing staff for their efforts to keep him comfortable in his final hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, Inc., 1501 N W 9th Ave, Bob Hope Rd. Miami, FL 331361494, the Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 or the York SPCA, 3159 Susquehanna Trail North, York, Pa 17406.