One of this worlds finest men went to Heaven Friday, January 3, 2003 .

Reverend Roy Dean Farmer, Sr., age 62, of Cumberland , Virginia , faithful husband of Linda
Hall Farmer passed away at their home. He is survived by his wife of 40 years; his children,
daughter Katrina F. Blankenship and husband Curtis W. Blankenship of Powhatan, Virginia;
daughter Melinda F. Cook and husband Timothy B. Cook, Sr. of Burkeville, Virginia; son Roy
Dean Farmer, Jr. and wife Natalie Currin Farmer of Lunenburg; three grandsons, Timothy Bryan
Cook, Jr. TJ; Zachary Tyler Cook Zach; William Brady Blankenship; one brother, Lewis
Farmer of Sparta, North Carolina; two sisters, Lucille F. Manning of Edenton, North Carolina
and Evon F. Darden of Kingsport, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Reverend George Brady Farmer and Laura Effie Cox Farmer; and brother Reverend George
Edd Farmer of Sparta , North Carolina .
Reverend Farmer was the Pastor of the Cumberland Baptist Temple in Cumberland , Virginia for
32 years. He was saved May 30, 1950 and surrendered to Preach Gods Word on March 13,
1962 .
He
graduated
from Eastern Baptist Bible College in Hampton , Virginia in
1965. Reverend Farmer taught Vocational Building Trades at Cumberland High School for 13
years. He was an expert craftsman, builder, an avid outdoorsman and farmer. He was an
outstanding citizen and cared deeply for the wellbeing of his friends and neighbors. He never
put anything or anyone before his family or his church. He loved his wife, children,
grandchildren, family and church family beyond words.
Most importantly, He served God with all his heart and soul. His dedication for his church and
the work of the Lord was such a beacon to all who knew him. He stood for the right and stood
against all wrong. He taught so many how to know where their eternal home would be and how
to live a consecrated, separated life.
His
suffering
is
now
over
He was faithful until his last breath.

and

he

has

finished

his

course.

II
Timothy
4:6-8
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

This page is a small tribute to my wonderful Father, who we very sadly lost in 2003 after a 3 year
battle with gastric cancer. Today I have seen the final Star Wars (Episode 3), and remember
almost 30 years ago seeing the original Star Wars (Episode 4) with my Dad.
I think it is my hope that anyone reading this page will, for a small moment in time, think about
what my Dad meant to me and know a little about his life. I wrote the following Eulogy for him,
and I guess that is a good start. He was cremated on 18th February 2003.
From Son to Father
No man is perfect, however rarely would anyone ever see what few lesser qualities Geoff may
have had. That is the mark of a true Gentleman, and how most who knew Geoff will remember
him. Geoff was often not a man of many words, and few would ever have had a bad word about
him.
Geoff had a difficult start to life, and was not expected to survive as a newborn baby. He was one
of eight children. Geoff worked hard all his life, having left school at 13 to work in the stables
with the hope of becoming a jockey. Unfortunately he grew a bit tall for that pursuit, however he
never let a lack of education stand in the way of providing for his family. He grew up in some
very hard times, and did not like to see things wasted - "Might come in handy one day" was
something he used to say, and he preferred make do with what he had, rather than buy something
new.
Geoff was a simple man who appreciated the simple joy's life offered. He reminisced recently
about some of the fun times he had with his brother and sisters, in a time when the world was a
more carefree place. Placid, quiet, gentle and patient are some words that come to mind when
thinking of Geoff. He believed in fairness and wasn't someone to fuss or complain about things.
Geoff loved his golf, having played for 50 odd years. He played his last game two days before
going into hospital in December, so it's safe to say he played his favourite sport as long as he
possibly could. At one stage his handicap was as low as seven, and Geoff also had the joy of
shooting a hole in one during his life. His favourite hole at Royal Fremantle is the second, which
runs along Carrington Street opposite this Cemetery.
The beauty of animals was something Geoff loved, and he detested any cruelty to them. His face
would light up as the family dogs bounded out to greet him on his return from golf. He also
enjoyed simply seeing birds bathing in the backyard birdbath, or seeing a small lizard scamper
up a wall.
Geoff was a family man, and spent most of his time at home. Words cannot express what he
meant to his family, and what his family meant to him. He had a loving wife who cared for him,
and that care was exceptional during the last years and months of his life. Only Maureen and
Geoff can fully appreciate the depth of their bond formed over 40 years together.

To his son, Geoff was an inspiration. No thanks could ever be enough for the countless things he
did for Phillip over the years, except to try to be as good a Father to his own child now. The
lessons our Parents teach, without ever knowing it, help make us who we are today, and Geoff
was a fine teacher. It is with a great sense of pride that Phillip bears "Geoffrey" as his middle
name.
For the past 21 months, Geoff had the joy of spending time almost every day with his Grand
Daughter, Jemma. He especially loved pushing the shopping trolley with her and could be heard
singing "here we go, here we go", down the aisles of the supermarket - Something he still did
the morning before going into hospital for the last time. Jemma was what kept Geoff going
through the hard times of his illness, and a part of her Grandpa will always be with her.
It's impossible to express a man's life of 74 years in these few words, but the gift Geoff has given
those that knew him throughout those years will live on. The sadness of losing Geoff is great, as
were the many good times shared with him. Geoff would wish us to remember those happy
times.
So maybe when you see Geoff's favourite bird, the willy-wagtail, flitting about - you'll smile to
yourself in memory of a wonderful man, who will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

My father has set a very high bar for us. Every Father wants to be proud of his siblings and is
only too happy if they surpass his own achievements. It is a very hard task to surpass the legacy
of a great father. My father started his carrier in politics as son of S. Dara Singh, a renowned
Lawyer, Judge and a successful politician (He served as a minister in PEPSU). He is even
remembered today for his mastery in the subject of criminal law. Capt. Kanwaljit Singh could
have easily stepped into his fathers shoes and carried on with his already established law firm
but he wanted to take his own road to glory. He thrived on challenges. The tougher the task the
more he enjoyed it. He served in the Indian army but resigned when it became monotonous. He
choose to fight his election from a completely new area not even remotely connected to Nabha
from where his father fought and won his election.
Banur his constituency was considered a Congress stronghold. No leader worth his name in
Akali Party wanted to stand from this constituency. By sheer hard work he converted it into what
is now considered as an Akali dal Captain Kanwaljit Singh stronghold. He knew all the streets in
all the villages and towns of his area like the back of his hand. He had so many qualities which
cannot be enumerated but some major ones which stand out were: Honesty- not restricted to just
corruption but honesty in thought and action. If he made a promise to anyone he would go to any
extent to fulfil it. He may have been let down by a number of people but he never let down any
one who believed in him. Foresight- his ability to analyse a given situation was remarkable.
Keep off shallow politics and remain closer to the ground reality.
When Punjab witnessed the rise of militancy, as a Minister for Home Affairs, he tried his best to
rein in police excesses, often with limited success. Anyone can read Julio Riberas book and
note that. He was clear that Punjab had to be pulled out of militancy without compromising on
essential values. Later events proved him right. . His belief that more you empower the people
ultimately makes you more powerful. He placed the people of his area on a higher pedestal than
the bureaucracy. The most downtrodden could boast of his close connection with Capt. Sahib and
bully his way in any government office. Last but not the least Time Management- He was an
extremely busy person but he had time for everyone most of all his grand children who still ask
God to send their Nanaji back. I can truly say that my father not only made his father proud but
set a very high bench mark for his children. To surpass his greatness will be extremely tough and
we shall need divine help to come near it.
Capt Kanwaljit Singh played a major role in The Moga conference in April 1985, set the tone
and temper of Akali politics in Punjab. This rekindled much hope in Punjab and relaunched not
only the Akali Dal, but also Mr Parkash Singh Badal .He got into an overdrive to push the Akali
Dal from the hard-line position enshrined in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. He could have
silently watched the Akalis, particularly its present leadership, pay the price and take advantage.
No, Punjab came first and foremost.
He took part in the Dharma Morcha & went to jail several times. On one of these detentions at
kapurthla jail, the police was ordered to shoot him, the police surrounded him from all sides &

bolted the doors, Capt Kanwaljit Singh picked up a chair lying nearby & hit on the door but as
luck would have it, the door broke & managed to escape from there & took a ride back home in a
truck . I can never forget that day when I saw my father drenched in blood from head to toe and
his clothes were torn badly ,he got 15 stitches in his head ,that time GOD saved his life and so
this time when he suffered serious injuries ,I was very hopeful that like in the past ,this time also
hell come out of it!!!
Capt Kanwaljit Singh aspired to for the top position by virtue of his hardwork and perhaps no
one deserved better than him, yet politics for him was not a means to power alone. It meant the
well-being of his people.
He had a dream for the glory of Punjab and we as a family especially my mother were proud to
be part of his dream.
I was the youngest in the family and He never refused me anything in my life.
One instance that I cant forget is when my dad was going to UK for a conference. Everyone
wanted to go and as usual I was told to make him agree. He agreed & we all got very happy. We
were to leave in 2 days time and guess what my passport had expired; I was so sad that the
person who made the entire plan was only not going!! I went to him and started crying that I did
not want to be left behind. He told me chalo dekhda Haan, go home and get your things ready
as our flight was to leave the next day at 9 pm. Then the impossible happened, My Passport was
made by 1pm the next day and I started for Delhi at 2pm, the UK embassy closes by 4 PM again
I got tensed as there was no way I could reach by 4 pm. My dad told me in his usual way
CHALO DEKHDE HAI WHAT CAN BE DONE .
you will not believe this- I reached DELHI at 6 pm and guess what the chief consulate of the
embassy had kept the embassy open specially for me!! tears started flowing out of my eyes & i
told him what i would do without him infact what will the whole family do without him!!!
My father was a miracle man for us & a large number of people who told us later what he had
done for them.
He was very particular that the family must eat dinner together at night cause he firmly believed
in the saying the family that eats together stays together. He was also very particular that the
family & close relatives must be together at all festivals no matter where anybody was, they had
to come for the festivals.
Ill tell you , since my father passed away Ive been exposed to certain amount of politics & what
I understand from my experience is that it is a task in itself to get through to the administration &
leaders, if a person like me is unable to reach them, think about a common man? CAPT
Kanwaljit Singh was the bridge between the people & the administration & was so easily
accessible to the people is a major reason why people miss him so much.

He felt strongly about the farmers of Punjab & strived hard for their rights since he had also gone
through the stage of farming so he could identify with them, he played a major role in getting
compensation for the farmers land at par with the market value, from the govt .his dream was to
raise the standards of the farmers he was always ready to take on anybody for their rights!!! And
he used to say its the peoples blessings that that took him ahead in life!! His famous quotes asli
insaan oh hi hunda hai jiss de jaan to baad , saari duniya yaad rakdi hai!!!