Dr. Michael Houston Farmer, 73, of Tigerville, SC passed away in a car accident near his home on February 10, 2015. Mike was born to the late Houston Martin Farmer and Edith Ballenger Farmer on November 8, 1941 in Greer, SC. He graduated from Greer High School in 1960, received an Associate's Degree in Chemical Technology from Greenville Technical College in 1970, a B.S. in Chemistry from Clemson University in 1972, a Masters Degree in Science Education from Clemson University in 1974, and a Doctorate in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina in 1993.
Dr. Farmer taught Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy for over 40 years at Riverside High School, Greenville Technical College, and the SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities. During his career, Dr. Farmer served as the President of the Greenville County Science Teachers Association, President of the South Carolina Science Council, President of the South Carolina Academy of Science, and Chairman of the High School Division of the National Science Teachers Association. Dr. Farmer's accolades include Discover Magazine Teacher of the Year (1984), South Carolina's candidate for NASA's Teacher in Space Program (1985), Order of the Palmetto from Governor Richard Riley (1985), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching (1987), the National Science Teacher's Association's Gustav Ohaus Science Teaching Award (1990), and the Governor's Award for Science Awareness for South Carolina (1999). Dr. Farmer's writings are numerous, including his book Science Projects: A Modular Approach, and he was working on a book of science and math geared for young artists.
Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Tate Higgins; a daughter, Kenley Paige Farmer; two step-sons, John Tate Higgins and David William Higgins; a brother, Tony "Sarge" Farmer.
Dr. Farmer was a passionate advocate for science and education and in lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be contributed to the Dr. Farmer Scholarship Fund for students of Riverside High School, dontalley@gmail.com for more info; or, to a fund for students in Dr. Farmer's name to the Governor's School for the Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 8458, Greenville, SC 29604.
He was a friend, teacher and mentor to many.
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all art and science." (Albert Einstein) Cremation Society of SC -
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