Donald Allen Farmer

Donald A. Farmer, 95, of Ashton Grove in Georgetown and formerly of Lancaster, KY, passed away on April 28, 2025. He was born on December 16, 1929, in Crossville, TN, the son of the late Charles A. and Della Tabor Farmer. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Stella, on June 24, 2017, after more than 62 years of marriage.
He is survived by one daughter, Linda Cornett (Robert) of Georgetown, KY; a grandson, Matthew Cornett of Georgetown; three granddaughters, Mallory Smith (Nicholas) of Silver Spring, MD, Hannah Land (Taylor) of Alexandria, VA, and Sydney McEntee (Trey) of Georgetown, KY; and one great-grandson, Aiden Erenberg of Silver Spring, MD. He was also preceded in death by five siblings: Roger Farmer, Betty Bivens (Glenn), Laverne Farmer (Janice), Marcia Warrington (Monroe), and Vera Hamlin (John).
Don proudly served over four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, from December 1950 to April 1955. He was stationed in England during this time, where he met and married the love of his life, Stella Lovick.
Following his service, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Dayton in Ohio. A devoted man of faith, he was a longtime member of Georgetown First United Methodist Church.
Don dedicated more than six decades to the abrasives industry, beginning his career in 1955 with a small full-line manufacturer in Dayton. The first 22 years of his career were focused on research and development, including three and a half years at Carnegie Mellon University in the mid-1960s, where he conducted fundamental research on abrasive processes. The following 39 years were spent in various management roles with three major abrasive product manufacturers.
In 1970, Don joined Allison Abrasives Inc., where he spent 40 years and served as President and CEO until his retirement from active management in 1994. He continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until 2009 and remained a board member until 2016.
In 1987, Don led the successful relocation of Allison Abrasives Inc. from Shelton, Connecticut, to Lancaster, Kentucky—a major undertaking that showcased his leadership and vision. Deeply involved in his community, Don became a dedicated member of Lancaster United Methodist Church. He served on the Garrard County Industrial Development Authority from 1993 to 2004 and on the Board of Directors of Whitaker Bank in Lancaster from 1989 to 2007. He was also active in the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce from 1990 to 1995, serving as its president in 1994. From 1992 to 1995, he was a trustee of Lee's College in Jackson, KY, until its merger with the University of Kentucky's Community College System.
Don and Stella shared a rich life, traveling extensively throughout Europe and Asia during their more than 60 years of marriage. He was a devoted grandfather who loved teaching his granddaughters how to fish and inspiring in them a love for travel and exploration.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at Tucker, Yocum & Wilson Funeral Home in Georgetown, KY, followed by a memorial service officiated by Rev. Bob Coppings.
Interment will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Green Acres Memory Gardens near Crossville, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Quest Farm in Georgetown, KY.