Jim McFarland Passes


James Edward McFarland, 77, of Ashland, died peacefully on July 15, 2008, with son, Jeff, close at his side. He was born January 3, 1931 in Newark, Ohio to loving parents, Edward and Nina McFarland. He graduated with top honors in academics and sports from Newark High School in 1949, President of his class and captain of the basketball team. Jim was awarded a full-ride basketball scholarship and and graduated from Denison University in 1953 with Honors in Mathematics, Varsity letters in basketball and tennis, and was invited into Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. He then moved to the West Coast to pursue his Master's (1956) and Doctorate (1960) in Mathematics at Oregon State University where he met the love of his life, Georgia. He married Georgia J. Pearson in Corvallis, Ore., on Sept. 4, 1954, while still a college student and prior to finishing, had two much-loved children, Jeffrey K. McFarland (1956) and Michelle L. Parton (1959). Jim had a passion for teaching math to his students, and truly was a credit to his profession. He taught at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Western Washington University, Bellingham, Wash.; and later, from 1969 at Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Ore. He retired in 1993 as Emeritus Professor, Associate Provost and Graduate Director of SOU.

Jim was dedicated to his Lord Jesus Christ and his church, Trinity Episcopal, joining in 1969, where he served many years as Senior Warden, became a Lay Eucharist Minister and assisted in development and implementation of the Ashland Interfaith Program for the Homeless. In addition, he sang in the church choir with his beloved wife, Georgia, for 25 years and together they loved to help people that were in need or shut-in by taking them food, serving them communion, and spending time visiting them.

Jim loved to sing, and had a beautiful baritone voice. He was a member of the Rogue Valley Harmonizers, Medford, Ore., and the barbershop quartet, Sound Achord. He was an accomplished and competitive golfer. He also enjoyed playing pool, going camping, and fishing with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Georgia and one brother, Robert E. McFarland. Survivors include his daughter, Michelle, of Olympia, Wash.; son Jeff and daughter-in-law Jennifer, of Ashland, Ore.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church at 44 North 2nd Street, Ashland, Ore., at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008, led by Trinity's Rector, Rev. Anne Bartlett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund, Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 North 2nd Street, Ashland, Ore., or to the SOU Scholarship Fund for students with financial need and demonstration.

Published in the Mail Tribune on 7/19/2008