John Leonard Farmer Jr.

John Leonard Farmer Jr., of Brandon, Mississippi passed away at the age of 82 years old. A viewing will be held on Wed. Dec. 18, 2024 from 12pm-1pm at Barefoot Springs Cemetery in Pelahatchie, MS. Graveside Services are 1pm on Wed. Dec. 18, 2024 at Barefoot Springs Cemetery. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Lynda Farmer, daughter Jamie Randle, son-in-law William C. Randle, III, grandchildren, Kendall & Mackenzie Butts and Liam Randle of Inlet Beach, FL. Daughter Shannon Farmer, son-in-law Shaun Moody, grandchildren, Sydney Blake & Cameron Moody of Madison, MS. Daughter Christie McKee, son-in-law Brian McKee of Pelahatchie, MS.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Schrock Farmer, Father John Leonard Farmer. Mother-in-law Mrs. Grace Henry, Father-in-law Mr. J. W. Henry, Siblings – Jerry Lowery, Mickey Hollingsworth and Ben Farmer. Grandson, Alex McKee.

Born March 15, 1942, John grew up in Jackson, Mississippi with his mother and 3 siblings. He graduated Forest Hill High school in 1960. He attended Mississippi State University where he studied Architecture and design. He married Betty Sue Hunt in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi and had two daughters - Jamie Lynn Randle (57) and Shannon Nicole Moody (51). In 1964, he began his 10 year service in the Army National Guard. John began his career as a draftsmen and home building designer with Albritton Designs in Jackson, Mississippi in 1968. 

In 1975, he started his own company, Breland & Farmer Designs with partner Edsel Breland. He had a successful 25 year career in designing hundreds of custom homes. He was a member of AIBD and the Mississippi Home Builders Association of Jackson where he served on the board for 10 years.

John married his current wife, Lynda in 1990 and gained another daughter, Christie Harmon (52). He and Lynda loved gardening together and traveling to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to attend car shows and visit friends. They were married for 35 years. He adored, loved and cherished her with his whole heart. 

John was an avid lover of hot rods and sports cars. He purchased his first dream car in his early twenties, a 1963 silver corvette stingray. It was the only year and model made with a split back window. He was a Nascar fan and loved attending and watching the races. He started collecting sports cars and traveled all over the country to participate in various car shows. His collection included a 1965 hardtop mustang, 1965 convertible corvette, 1967 hardtop corvette, 1982 black and silver convertible corvette and a 1985 red convertible corvette. His color of choice for all his corvettes was red. He founded the Corvette Showdown car show in the early 80’s. The event was held at the trademark building in Jackson, Mississippi where cars came from all over the world to display their show cars.

John had many interests. He owned an extensive and impressive collection of over 300 pocket knives. He loved his cowboy boots and enjoyed collecting them. He loved birdwatching while drinking his morning coffee, watching college football and was a super fan of all Mississippi State sports. 

More than anything, John adored his 6 grandchildren. It gave him tremendous joy to hand-draw birthday cards, various notes, send them “goody” boxes and special treasures. He absolutely loved Christmas and showering them with gifts.

John was a character, jokester and enjoyed making others laugh. He enjoyed the simple things in life and was extremely proud of his family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LeBonheur Hospital Children's Foundation at P.O. Box 41817 Memphis, TN 38174. Phone Number (901-287-6308).