James I. Farmer, Jr.

I love you and miss you, Pops. My heart selfishly aches and trembles at losing you, the only father figure I ever had. I pray for Shirley, Tony, and the Farmer family, because my hurt is nothing compared to the hurt they are feeling with your loss. But I’m so grateful that they allowed me to be part of the family when you took me in as one of your own. You were the role model father figure that I otherwise never would have had. You taught me everything I know about racing and I’m so honored and proud to carry with me that I learned from the best, most well-respected man in drag racing. I will never forget the look and cheese-eating grin on your face the first time I won the money race against top dog, Jeff Foreman. You were so proud of me and I will always remember how awesome that made me feel. You and Shirley were always there for me, so generous and kind and giving, even when I didn’t deserve such honest and true love. You disciplined me when I was up to no good, and always told me – by showing me – “right is right and wrong is wrong … there’s no gray”. I’ll never forget waking up in yall’s guest bedroom the morning after the DTR Christmas party. I was so embarrassed at the thought that I had disappointed you. But when I walked into the kitchen, you and Shirley both couldn’t stop laughing, while you told me how tickled you were to see me finally have some fun. You were so wise, full of knowledge to share with those smart enough to listen, funny, and told the best stories that would captivate anyone’s attention within earshot. The world lost a man who can never be replaced when we lost you. You are a legend, the epitome of what all men should be, and the memories of everyone who were blessed to know you, will be carried on, retold, and passed down to our generations, because you set the bar by being an exemplary man of character and integrity…a man that people will always look up to and that men should strive to be like. You make people better. You made me better. I will thank GOD every day for blessing me with a man who will forever be my Pops. BronnaMichelle Haley