Col. Richard D. Mcfarland

Colonel Richard D. McFarland, U.S. Army retired, of Atlanta, GA, passed away on his 90th birthday, March 4, 2011. Born in Akron, Ohio, he graduated from Ellet High School in 1940, a star athlete and class leader. Soon after the declaration of World War II, he entered the U.S. Army graduating from Officer’s Candidate School at Ft Benning, GA, as a 2nd Lieutenant. In June 1943 he married his wife, the former Grace Marie Axline of Akron, Ohio, before shipping out to North Africa and Italy, where he fought during WWII. He was a member of the 88th Infantry Division that participated in the liberation of Rome, Italy, on June 4, 1944. During the Korean War, he served with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron (Mosquitos) and with Headquarters Fifth U.S. Air Force. During his 30 years in the U.S. Army, Col McFarland served at posts throughout the United States and in Africa, Italy, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia, having studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey. He retired in 1971 after 30 years of military service. Upon retirement, he and his wife established their home in Pebble Beach, California, and Richard began an 18 year association with the Monterey History and Art Association and the Maritime Museum of Monterey where he was curator. He was instrumental in building a new home for the Museum on the Custom House Plaza in Monterey. He was an avid golfer and an ardent member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. He had his own Quartet named the Del Monte Fourest. After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife in 1995, he began volunteer work as a docent at the Carter Presidential Library and Museum and the Atlanta History Center continuing his love for children and history. His wife, Grace, of 67 years predeceased him in October, 2010; his son, Sergeant Richard Scott, was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969. Richard is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ann, a professor at Emory University; three nieces, two nephews and numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews. A memorial service in celebration of the life and service of Richard McFarland will be held at The Carter Center on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 3:30 pm in the Cyprus Room. Burial with Military Honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). A.S. Turner & Sons, Decat

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033