MARC A. FARMER

FARMER Rev. Dr. MARC A. FARMER Pastor and Retried Assistant Director, United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice, dies at 61 On April 2, 2015, Reverend Dr. Marc A. Farmer died surrounded by his wife, Valerie and his family. Rev. Farmer always understood his calling and his purpose - to teach and preach. One of his dominate ministry gifts was teaching - a gift that opened doors for him in both the secular and church world. God gave him the ability to take complex subjects and explain them in ways that pertained to practical everyday life. Rev. Farmer's ministry began as a young man in New York City at Bethel Gospel Tabernacle. In 1979 he became associated with the Church of God and was Associate Pastor under Rev. George Marshall at the Euclid Avenue Church of God in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1984 he became Associate Minister under Bishop Robert S. Davis, Sr. at Celebration Church (formerly Long Reach Church of God) in Columbia, Maryland. Rev. Farmer became the founding pastor of Oakland Mills Church of God in Columbia, Maryland in 1987. Rev. Farmer not only dedicated his life to the church but also to government service. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He served over 30 years in the United States Marshals Service under the Department of Justice. Rev. Farmer was Assistant Director with the U. S. Marshals Service and appointed as a member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States of America where he served in key leadership positions. His experience in law enforcement and security operations spans more than three decades. He was awarded the Commissioner's Citation from the City of Baltimore Police Department. Rev. Farmer was a former Marine who also managed to maintain the "warrior" side of his life by teaching martial arts (Okinawan Shorin-ryu) throughout the years. Known as Marc-san, he held a title of "Kyoshi" (very senior instructor - the second highest of all possible titles). His grade was 7th degree black belt - denoted by wearing of a red and white belt. Rev. Farmer received his primary education in the New York City public school system and went on to further his education. He considered himself a lifelong learner. Over the years, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Thomas A. Edison State College in New Jersey; a Master of Arts from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio; a Master of Science from National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, DC; a Doctorate of Ministries from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC; and a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University in Ohio (All but dissertation). Rev. Farmer had done postgraduate studies at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in conjunction with the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. He has taught and lectured doctoral students in the subject area of Transformational Leadership and had strong academic interests in Public Policy and Ethical Leadership. Rev. Farmer leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life his wife of 38 years, Valerie A. Farmer; his daughter, Nicole Farmer Jackson, son-in-law Governor E. Jackson III, and his granddaughter, Elise Gabrielle Jackson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Viewing - Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD. Home Going Service - Monday, April 13, 2015, 10 a.m. at the Celebration Church, 6080 Foreland Garth, Columbia, MD. Interment Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, 1080 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD. Viewing - Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD. Home Going Service - Monday, April 13, 2015, 10 a.m. at the Celebration Church, 6080 Foreland Garth, Columbia, MD. Interment Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, 1080 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD.