- Date Of Birth: May 20, 1925
- Date Of Death: July 2, 2019
- State: Illinois
James “Mac” E. McFarland, 94, of Centralia, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Centralia Manor in Centralia, IL.
Mac was born May 20, 1925 in Centralia, son of Charles Harold McFarland and Helen Augusta McFarland. He married Marylene Cunningham on November 10, 1951 and she survives him in Centralia.
In addition to his Marylene McFarland of 67 years, Mac is survived by two sons: Milton Cunningham and wife Vicki of Cornelius, NC and Barry McFarland and wife Christine of Houston, TX; six grandchildren: Angela Buchanan of Orlando, FL, Jason Cunningham and wife Courtney of Suwanee, GA, Jenelle Coles and husband Arie of Sarasota, FL, Parker, Nicholas, and Christopher McFarland all of Houston, TX; four great-grandchildren: Isabella Buchanan, Kate Buchanan, Michael Cunningham, and Maya Cunningham; and a special family friend: Robert Gebel.
Mac was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Charles William “Cotton” McFarland, son: William Brandt Cunningham, and sister-in-law Joan Cunningham.
Born and raised in Centralia, Mac left high school before his senior year-end in 1943 to join the U.S. Navy on the “Kiddy Cruise” (enlistees under age 18). He spent his three-year enlistment on ships in the South Pacific and fought in the Battle of Okinawa on one of the first rocket firing ships in WWII. He fiercely loved his country and its flag and proudly defended them both. After the war he became a journeyman painter, but found his interest in salesmanship, mainly in marine sales until his retirement. He lived in California for fifty-two years before returning “back home” to Centralia where as a young man he had loved hunting, fishing, caring for his “long guns” and enjoying the season changes. However, his deteriorating health limited further participation. He was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Elks Club and a life-time member of the American Legion. James was an avid family man who enjoyed his home and dearly loved his three sons and their families.
