THE LAST FARMER
WESTON, MISSOURI (2014)
With his capable, trembling hands 94-year-old farmer Charles Bradley, referred to as “Mr. Charles,” continues to work on his 450-acre farm that has been in the family since 1883. He lives with his wife Mary, 93, who is often confused yet maintains a joyful spirit as much as is possible with her advanced dementia. They manage to live independently with the support of an attentive daytime caregiver. Their story is all-too-common, as small family farms lose their profitability and large-scale farming is becoming the norm. Yet what remains is Mr. Charles, who according to Mary, has never been “a rocking chair kinda guy.”
Mr. Charles passed away on the morning of February 24, 2018 at his family farm home at the age of 97. Mary was no longer able to be cared for in their home but Charles visited as often as he could.