Obituary of Lawrence Frederick Farmer

Lawrence (Larry) Frederick Farmer passed away peacefully in his daughter’s home on May 27, 2024, in Hillsborough, NC. He had recently celebrated his 86th birthday.

Mr. Farmer was born on April 2, 1938, in Norfolk, VA to his parents Archer and Margaret Farmer. After serving in the Coast Guard for several years, he attended Old Dominion University and earned a degree in Engineering.

He met his wife, Christopher Farmer, while working at Space Radiation Effects Laboratory (SREL) and they settled in Chesapeake, VA. He went on to manage Tidewater Biologicals and eventually relocated to Burlington, NC where he managed the manufacturing floor of MedTox Diagnostics. After retiring, he built his home in Edenton, NC where he enjoyed his passions for boating and carpentry. He continued a very successful part-time career in home renovations.

Mr. Farmer is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Todd Zylka of Virginia Beach, VA; his daughter Tracey Farmer of Hillsborough, NC; his sister-in-law, Janet Farmer; his grandchildren, Benjamin Merritt, Dr. Christina Merritt, Maia Giron, Chloe Giron, and Madison Zylka; and nieces Karen Mathews, Margie Twiford, and Emily Farmer.

He is preceded in death by his third daughter, Stephanie Giron Farmer, and his older brother Archer (Sonny) Farmer.

After retirement, his greatest joy was family gatherings. Ask any of his children and they can share a myriad of beloved stories of Larry’s youth that he shared time and time again. He was most proud of his grandchildren’s accomplishments and will be sorely missed at his grandson’s wedding this fall.

A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Farmer will be held at 1:30pm, Friday, June 7, at Riverside United Methodist Church at 1400 Edgewood Drive in Elizabeth City, NC 27909. A light lunch will be served immediately following in the fellowship hall.