Obituary for Dee Edward McFarland
Dee Edward McFarland lived to be 84 years old, and had a life filled with family, art, music, and the practice of medicine, from June 14, 1938 until April 8, 2023. He was the king of kindness, but also was the prince of puns. He was a lover of chocolate, coffee, a good musical jam session, and curling up with his wife and their dog on the sofa.
From his first breath taken in Marietta, Ohio to his long tenure in Columbia, South Carolina and finally to his last breath taken in Greenville, South Carolina, Dee was an artist and a craftsman but also good at home design, house repairs, and diligently completing his honey-do lists. He was equally comfortable with a banjo, playing bluegrass, as he was with his set of drums, playing in his band, the Hard to Explain. Dee also played the guitar and the bass---he was a gifted musician (except when it came to the violin). He got a Master of Arts in Studio Art, and had a prolific portfolio of work. He also just happened to get a medical degree, becoming a neuropathologist. That worked out well for him since he met his wife, Kay Flowers (now Kay McFarland) at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Dee was the son of Dorothy and Glenn McFarland of Marietta, Ohio. He inherited his wit and keen sense of humor from Dorothy---this sense of humor was never more evident than when he was together with his mother and younger brother, Delbert McFarland.
In between his many artistic and professional pursuits, Dee found the time to help produce and raise four children: Grace (Tom) Tretter, Joy (Farhang Davatchi) McFarland, Eric McFarland, and Sarah McFarland. His grandchildren are Kaylen Huggins, Erin Case McFarland, Tanner McFarland, Parker Huggins, and Hannelore Tretter.
Dee was always sensitive and caring, from when he cried as a child “overwhelmed by Santa’s generosity” to being an excellent listener and a wonderful support to his friends and family. He had a mischievous side, too, and told stories of the many practical jokes he participated in with his high school pals.
A world without Dee McFarland will be particularly hard on his wife of almost 60 years. He will live on, though, in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him. And every time a good pun is uttered, it will be impossible to not think of Dee Edward McFarland with a chuckle and great fondness.
A Celebration of Life for Dee will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St., Columbia, SC 29205. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Humane Society, www.humanesc.org, (803) 783-1267.
From his first breath taken in Marietta, Ohio to his long tenure in Columbia, South Carolina and finally to his last breath taken in Greenville, South Carolina, Dee was an artist and a craftsman but also good at home design, house repairs, and diligently completing his honey-do lists. He was equally comfortable with a banjo, playing bluegrass, as he was with his set of drums, playing in his band, the Hard to Explain. Dee also played the guitar and the bass---he was a gifted musician (except when it came to the violin). He got a Master of Arts in Studio Art, and had a prolific portfolio of work. He also just happened to get a medical degree, becoming a neuropathologist. That worked out well for him since he met his wife, Kay Flowers (now Kay McFarland) at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Dee was the son of Dorothy and Glenn McFarland of Marietta, Ohio. He inherited his wit and keen sense of humor from Dorothy---this sense of humor was never more evident than when he was together with his mother and younger brother, Delbert McFarland.
In between his many artistic and professional pursuits, Dee found the time to help produce and raise four children: Grace (Tom) Tretter, Joy (Farhang Davatchi) McFarland, Eric McFarland, and Sarah McFarland. His grandchildren are Kaylen Huggins, Erin Case McFarland, Tanner McFarland, Parker Huggins, and Hannelore Tretter.
Dee was always sensitive and caring, from when he cried as a child “overwhelmed by Santa’s generosity” to being an excellent listener and a wonderful support to his friends and family. He had a mischievous side, too, and told stories of the many practical jokes he participated in with his high school pals.
A world without Dee McFarland will be particularly hard on his wife of almost 60 years. He will live on, though, in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him. And every time a good pun is uttered, it will be impossible to not think of Dee Edward McFarland with a chuckle and great fondness.
A Celebration of Life for Dee will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St., Columbia, SC 29205. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Humane Society, www.humanesc.org, (803) 783-1267.