Rex Gene “Bob” Farmer

Rex Gene “Bob” Farmer, 87 of Manila, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Cly and Christine Assalee Bollinger Farmer and was a lifelong area resident. A 1950 graduate of Manila High School he later served in the U.S. Navy. An avid outdoorsman, he was employed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and was the Big Lake area manager for many years. In addition to his love for the outdoors he was a loyal supporter of the Manila Lions, was a commercial pilot and an aviation enthusiast. Bob was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Manila and will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Glenn Ray Farmer, and two sisters, Lorean Ballard and Lucille White.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Sue Holt Farmer of the home; one son, Brent Farmer (Angel) of Manila; two daughters, Cindy Curtis (Max Gene) of Blytheville and Lisa Kotkovich (John) of Arlington, Tenn.; one brother, Woodrow Counts of Benton Harbor, Mich. He also leaves four grandchildren, David Hutton (Pennie), Johnny Kotkovich, Rex Farmer and Lucy Farmer, and one great-grandson, Hunter Hutton.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Rev. Matt Pryor officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Thursday evening from 6-8 at the funeral home.

Active pallbearers will be Brent Farmer, David Hutton, Hunter Hutton, Gene Curtis, John Kotkovich, Randy Hutton, Rex Farmer and Johnny Kotkovich.

The family prefers any memorials be made to the First Baptist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.