Bruce Stanley Farmer

Bruce Stanley Farmer, 71, of Henderson, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Lucy Smith King Care Center. Bruce was born on November 11, 1953, to Jane and Herbert L. Farmer, Jr., and grew up understanding death as the most natural force of life. In his youth, he learned and labored in the family monument company, completed his first ambulance run at age 14 with Tapp Funeral Home and flexed his own force on the football field for the Henderson City High School Flash. Upon graduation in 1971, Bruce had already laid a solid foundation for what became a lifetime of tireless service to Henderson’s living and dead. Bruce married Beverly Farmer (née Clark) on November 3, 1978, in Henderson. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Henderson and always sat in the pew next to last. One of the county’s original EMTs, founding member of Henderson’s ambulance service where he worked for 45 years, deputy coroner by 1985 and elected coroner beginning in 2007—Bruce Farmer’s career was monumental in reach and impact. He retired from the office at the beginning of 2025, concluding 17 years as Henderson’s trusted shepherd during inevitable times of loss. Beyond the badge, Bruce was a member and state trustee for the Fraternal Order of Police, a Henderson Shriner and a Mason of Jerusalem Lodge No. 9. He also served on the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival Committee whose annual music festival draws tens of thousands to the heart of Henderson. Bruce Farmer was a loving father and doting grandfather who remained meticulous about his routines and his newspaper, who stayed humble and ready to respond 24/7 and whose legacy of vigilant service already lives on. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jane Ramsey Farmer and Herbert L. Farmer, Jr.; and two brothers, Kent Lee Farmer and Scott Farmer. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Farmer, of Henderson; two children, Charles Farmer and his wife, Crystal, of Henderson and Laura Marshall and her husband, Jared, of Louisville; three grandchildren, Madisyn Farmer of Henderson, Peyton Marshall and Clarke Marshall, both of Louisville; three siblings, Gene Farmer and his partner, Stacey Thomas, of Indianapolis, Judith Farmer-Mayo and her husband, Allen, of Henderson and Mary Farmer of Washington, D.C.; one uncle, Ray Farmer and his wife, Belinda, of Henderson; nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to Bruce’s Life Celebration from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25th, and from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Friday, September 26th, 2025, at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Reverend Mary Wrye officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson. A masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Steve Young, Steve Wring, Mike Williams, Lance Wayne, Melvin Fulkerson, and David Cox. Honorary pallbearer will be Roy Cox. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lucy Smith King Care Center or the Henderson Music Preservation Society. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home. Please visit www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com to share memories and words of comfort with Bruce’s family.

Bruce Stanley Farmer

November 11, 1953 - September 19, 2025