Don Charles Farmer

Don Charles Farmer
September 24, 1949 – July 10, 2018
Fort Pierce, FL

Don Charles Farmer passed away July 10, 2018 at his home after a courageous battle against cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. He was a Navy veteran and served from 1968 to 1972.

Don was born in Columbus, Ohio on September 24, 1949 to his parents Richard and Ann Farmer. He was truly an adventurer at heart. He became a certified diver at the age of 15 and continued to dive in local quarries and the Great Lakes. Don was also a musician and taught himself to play guitar as a teenager after only a few short lessons. He played both the acoustic and electric guitar and mastered the harmonica. He often enjoyed “jamming” with his friends and playing and singing the blues for fun.

Don joined the Navy at 19 years of age, ready to see the world. He traveled to many countries and took full advantage of the opportunities offered to him, including camping in the Pyrenees of Spain, scuba diving in the seas and oceans of Greece and the Philippines, riding the bullet train to the world’s fair, Expo ’70, in Japan and exploring cities throughout Italy, Turkey, England, Denmark and Sweden. He used his love of photography to document it all, sometimes developing his own film. In his off time on the boat, he continued playing his guitar.

After completing his service in the Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Debra, and they relocated to Florida where he attended commercial diving school at Linkport (Harbor Branch) in 1975. He attended IRCC where he obtained a welding certificate. He put his experience in diving and welding together to work for the Department of Transportation for 14 years, where he performed underwater bridge inspections and maintenance. During this time, he caught the “bug” for treasure hunting and became very knowledgeable regarding the Spanish 1715 Fleet and its 11 lost ships along our coast. He spent much of his time combing the beach with his metal detectors and diving numerous wreck sites for a woman who held private leases and permits. Diving for treasure became the joy of his life and he uncovered many fascinating and historic items. He was always in search of the Spanish Gold Real!

Don was a loving husband, devoted father and a good man. He is survived by his wife Debra, of 44 years (Fort Pierce, FL), his “Sweet Pea”, daughter Krista (Boston, MA), his sister Annette (John) Scohy of Marietta, OH and his brother John (Martha) Farmer of Marana, Arizona. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in laws, and lastly, his beloved grand-dog Chin Chin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 15th, 2018 from 10:00-11:00 AM with a service at 11:00 AM at Haisley Funeral Home, Fort Pierce. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, the St. Lucie County Humane Society or the Ocean Conservancy.