William Farmer Jr.

He attended and graduated from Central High School in 1970. In his youth, he excelled in baseball as a pitcher, and attended tryouts for the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to attend Tarkio College, in Tarkio, Missouri and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts with a Minor in Psychology. Shortly after graduating, he gave his life to the Lord and accepted Him as his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

William was known as “Pops” to many in the community, to his classmates, family and friends. He had a gift of being able to connect, getting along with almost everyone he would come into contact with. He was a man who was a good listener, patient, and slow to anger. In tough moments, he thought before he acted, seeking the root of the problem, before making blind assumptions. He loved to educate himself with facts and history. He was particularly well versed in black history.

Pops believed that you should try something new at least once. He also loved to talk! If you had the time and were willing to talk about sports, politics, education, history, etc., you had yourself a new buddy! And oh how he loved watching sports! His favorite football team was none other than the Kansas City Chiefs and he made sure he did not miss watching a single game. No matter where he was, all he cared about was making sure he had a working phone to contact his buddies, his wife, sisters and kids... and access to a TV on game day.

Pops began his career as a Deputy Juvenile Officer for Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center. He later held positions at the McCune School for Boys, Nate Lynn Halfway House, Smith Family Services, and Jackson County. Towards the end of his career, he continued supporting Kansas City’s youth as a counselor at Genesis School. Ahead of retirement, he spent his final working years as a staff member at University Academy. In addition to his full-time careers, for more than 15 years, he was a part-time sports official for various club sports including softball, youth basketball, and volleyball.

He had a tremendous passion for helping troubled and disadvantaged youth. As a Deputy Juvenile Officer, he took on the hopeless and rejected cases. At times when the system wanted to instantly prosecute a child, he would find a way to avoid damaging that child’s future. He understood the system was not forgiving to our youth; even when it may have been a first offense, and he was determined to prevent marring a child’s character and potential. If Pops couldn’t achieve the desired outcome, he would still do what he could to make the system see the good in our youth. He worked within the confines of the system, to grant kids a 2nd chance or reduced sentence. He showed each youth how to change for the better; that it’s not too late, and that there is a future for them. No false hope. Pops always kept it real. He encouraged everyone to do better and expand their horizons through education and new experiences whether it be food, fun activities, sports, or culture. He instilled those values in his children, niece, and grandchildren, his friends.

William “Pops” Farmer, Jr was a beloved son, brother, cousin, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, co-worker, best friend, and neighbor to so many! He had an infectious smile and a special gift connecting with just about anyone no matter what gender, race, position or status.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Sr. and Bernell Farmer, sisters Karen Farmer and Audrey Newton.

William leaves to mourn his wife of 34 years, Tonya Farmer, son: Brian Tucker Sr. (Lynette), daughter: Danielle Nelson (DeJay), sister: Saundra “Pudge” Farmer, brother-in-law: Derrick “Sweets” Shelton, niece: Renita Shelton, grandchildren: Quiera Nelson, Quiana Nelson, Quinlyn Nelson, Jordawn Tucker, Brian “BJ” Tucker Jr., James “LJ” Dewberry III, Iliana “Izzy” Tucker, great-grandkids: Penion DuJaun Nelson II, Niyah Amiko Haliburton, and a host of other relatives, and close friends.