Legends: Joe Farmer 1928-2017

by
posted on May 24, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
jfarmer1.jpg

Noted smallbore prone rifleman Joe Farmer passed away on April 30, 2017. He was raised in Rifle, CO, and perhaps that is all that might need be said about this outstanding octogenarian rifleman, but the story is more involved than this simple fact.

He notched his first 1600 the summer of 1967 and the next year earned his Prone Distinguished Award.

Farmer competed at the highest level but over time, his intense desire to win and his exacting personal standards took a fearsome toll. Burning himself out, he put his rifle away in 1975.

Sometime during 2004, Farmer came across a photograph of Lenore Lemanski posing at Camp Perry with her rifle. The picture revived his interest in smallbore prone and relit his competitive fire.

Within a few years Farmer was again at the top of his game. And, in 2009, he was the first to clean the any sight Metric Dewar firing a score of 400-26X. He later teamed up with Lones Wigger to set a new senior conventional Dewar Any Sight record of 800-65X, the team's average age was 76.

In 2011, at the tender age of 82, he became both the oldest person to make the U.S. Dewar Teamand the oldest competitor to make his maiden appearance on the prestigious team.

The next year he would repeat his Dewar appearance on his way to the 2012 National Smallbore Prone Senior Championship, a feat he would repeat in 2015. Along the way, he would pick up the 2013 and 2015 Metric Prone Senior Championship, as well as additional Dewar and Wakefield team memberships.

Some say that Farmer's success was due to his 20/10 vision and willingness to do the hard work of training. Farmer adamantly pinned his success firmly on the unfailing support and devotion of his wife of 63 years, Corinne, who survives him.

We are diminished.

Latest

CMP Buynow 1
CMP Buynow 1

CMP Streamlines Legacy M1 Garand Sales With Easy ‘Buy Now’ Feature

CMP’s new fixed-price “Buy Now” system makes it easier than ever to own a legacy, non-reclaimed M1 Garand rifle.

Watchtower Firearms, Demolition Ranch Team Up For Limited-Edition DEMOLITIA Blackout 1911

Watchtower Firearms releases limited-edition double-stack 1911 chambered in 9 mm designed with input from Demolition Ranch.

Federal Ammunition Honored With National 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award

Federal Ammunition receives 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award for over 40 years of support for youth programs.

New: Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE Rifles

Smith & Wesson launches the M&P 15 AXE lineup of suppressor-ready rifles with reduced gas blowback and modern features.

Review: Savage Arms Mark II & Winchester’s .21 Sharp

As demonstrated in the Savage Mark II FV-SR, Winchester’s .21 Sharp cartridge offers higher velocity and greater precision than .22 Long Rifle rounds.

Marsh Edges Stine In Canadian Showdown To Win Lapua Monarch Cup Opener

Justin Marsh edges Jake Stine by one point to win the Canadian NRA Smallbore Silhouette Nationals and first stage of the 2025 Lapua Monarch Cup.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.