Lonnie Ray Farmer Jr., age 83, a Stringtown, OK resident.
He was born on Friday, October 11, 1940, to Lonnie Ray Sr. and Odessa Mae (Wilson) Farmer, at Lodi, CA. Lonnie passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at his home, Navahoma, in Stringtown, OK. He attended Miller School and graduated from Stringtown High School where he drove a school bus during his senior year. He went on to attend SOSU where he received a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in education. Lonnie taught school in Norwalk, CA for a year, in Lane, OK for a year, then went on to teach at Many Farms, AZ on the Navajo Reservation. He taught at the Nazlini Boarding School, while at the Nazlini Boarding School he was the principal. Lonnie built a closed circuit tv network there. He worked with the army surplus to build a bridge over the Nazlini Wash. The bridge was named Farmer Bridge in honor of him. Lonnie left the Nazlini Boarding School to help run a trading post with his wife. They sold the trading post in 1984 and moved back to Stringtown to live on their property called Navahoma to begin ranching and farming. Lonnie substituted at Stringtown School during this time. He then went to Mack Alford Correctional facility as a case manager and teacher. In 1988 they moved to Chinle, AZ to the old home place and started a business called Sunshine Builders, selling housing materials and construction. He started his own construction crew to help build houses. Lonnie did renovations on community buildings and school then went back to Many Farms Schools as the principal. He retired from teaching in 2005. He married Ida Helen (Claw) on Wednesday, September 18th, 1974 at Holbrook, AZ. They celebrated almost 50 years of marriage before his passing. Lonnie was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed farm work, prospecting for gold, camping and spending time with his family.
Lonnie is survived by his wife, Ida Helen Farmer of the home in Stringtown, OK; children, Karen White and husband Donald of Venus, TX, Denise Bell of Keller, TX, Jennifer Farmer of Coalgate, OK, Lonnie Ray Farmer III and wife Sarah of Coalgate, OK; grandchildren, Eric, Emily and Kyle Spanial, Abigail and Adyson Stevenson, Harlee Farmer, Shakota Ray Farmer, Alex Farmer; close family friend, Jason McGuire of Stringtown, OK; brother in law, Leonard Claw; sisters in law, Dorothy Salabyie, Hazel Gorman, Ruthie Guchapin, Geraldine Gonnie, Calandra Davis; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie Ray Sr. and Odessa Mae (Wilson) Farmer; granddaughter, Cierra Farmer; brother in law, Milton Claw; sisters in law, Bernice Claw, Sophia Claw.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 02:00 PM Monday, February 26th, 2024
PLACE OF SERVICES: Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Stringtown, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Bartt Bradford
INTERMENT: Mt. Olive Cemetery, Stringtown, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Sam Miller, Michael Burns, Bryar Wilson, Johnny Wilson, Shawn Miller, Ronnie Bell
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: John Wayne Farmer, Jackie Farmer, Terry Snow, JD Wilson
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT IS SATURDAY 6-8PM

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK