By Deborah Larsen
Donald Major Farmer
Donald Major Farmer was born in Rochester, Michigan, on May 6, 1918, the son of Jerry and Ruth Major Farmer. Donald attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1936. After high school, he worked for the A & P grocery store.
In June 1941, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 527th Field Artillery Battalion. He served two years in the Aleutians and then eight months in Italy. Donald was released from military service in October 1945.
After the war, Donald married and started a family. He worked for Lockheed Corporation in Los Angeles, California, and was killed on the job in 1961 when he was electrocuted while working in the cockpit of an F-104 Starfighter jet.
Donald Major Farmer died at age 43 on July 14, 1961, and was laid to rest in North Hollywood, California.