Bio

Gale Farmer

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1963-1965) / Basketball
Gulfport, Mississippi

As a 6-foot-1 guard from Harrison Central High School, Gale Farmer became a starting forward for the Bulldog basketball team by the second game of his freshman season. Farmer was the final piece Coach Bob Weathers needed for a title run.

Weathers’ teams were ripe for a state championship, making the playoffs two of the previous three years. Gulf Coast came into the 1964 playoffs hot, winning the regular-season South Division title. Farmer was a major reason the Bulldogs returned to the title game. In the semifinal game against Jones, he was the leading scorer, hitting 11 of 11 shots for 24 points

In the state finals, the Bulldogs faced long-time foe Pearl River. On the very last day in February in a leap year (Feb. 29, 1964), the Bulldogs took a big leap, led by Farmer’s 16 points, and clinched the Mississippi Association of Junior Colleges title in a 60-50 triumph over the Wildcats. The team finished the year with a 20-6 record.

In his second season, the Bulldogs had a 19-3 season but lost the South Division title to Hines. Farmer was named All-State and attributes his selection to the winning attitude and work ethic instilled by Weathers.

Farmer’s roundball ability earned a scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University. He transferred after one year to the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduation in 1967, he was hired as head basketball coach at Biloxi High School.

In 1969, Farmer began training to become a special agent for the FBI. A 30-year career ensued and included major investigations such as international drug cartels, organized crime and political corruption. In addition to his investigative duties, Farmer was also a firearms and defensive tactics instructor and police training coordinator.

While with the FBI, he used his athletic prowess to play basketball, softball and racquetball for the Bureau. While assigned in Los Angeles, he took over as coach and shooting guard for the basketball team. Using Weathers’ 1-4 offense, the team became a tournament winner in the Police League.

As of 2005, Farmer was married to Christine (Harp) Farmer, a 1964 Perkinston alumnae. They had two sons, Steve and Brett, and one grandchild. He is a lifetime member of the MGCCC Alumni Association and resided in Slidell, La.