- Date Of Birth: April 9, 1944
- Date Of Death: April 5, 2021
- State: Texas
Wycliffe “Cliff” Nathaniel McFarlane went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 5th, 2021—four days before his 77th birthday. He passed away after a long courageous fight with Amyloidosis. He was preceded in death by his parents Maude Agatha Peart and Gilbert Gladstone McFarlane, his sisters Lurline and Maureen, and his brothers Winston and Duval.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Ellen McFarlane, his ex-wife Etta McFarlane, his children Veronica McFarlane, Courtney McFarlane, Lorna McFarlane Reed, Pamela McFarlane, Michael McFarlane, and Christin Griffin. He will also be sorely missed by his grandchildren Felicia, Chelsea, Ariel, Wycliffe, Pamela, Gianna, Brandon, Mya, Samantha, Denielle, Malachi, Elijah, Harmony, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
To so many, Cliff was an angel sent from God and a ram in the bush. He was born on April 9th, 1944 in the district of Palmyra in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Much of his boyhood was spent in Nain, St. Elizabeth. Later, he lived with his mother and his maternal grandfather Julius Peart. Cliff attended Nain Primary School in Nain, where he shined academically, on his beloved cricket pitch and at cycling. He frequently spoke of how he loved to race Merle home from school each day.
When Cliff was not at school, he learned invaluable lessons working in his father’s grocery store. After primary school, Cliff would go on to pass his first, second, and third examinations set by the Ministry of Education of Jamaica.
When Cliff was seventeen, he transitioned to Kingston to live with his mother and, later, his Uncle Calvin. There, he operated as a mechanic and even became a police officer in cities throughout Jamaica. Soon thereafter, he met Etta McFarlane and he migrated to Toronto, where they were married in 1966.
While living in Toronto, Cliff earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ryerson Polytechnic University. The family moved to Redondo Beach, California in 1977. There, he completed a Master’s degree from California State University-Long Beach and excelled as an aerospace engineer for Hughes Aircraft. He continued in this profession with various companies before retiring from Northrup Grumman in 2009. After retiring, he made Texas his home and continued as a real estate broker.
Cliff was known for his soft spot for his children and grandchildren. He had a way of giving focused time and attention to everyone who needed him, whether they asked or not.
Cliff was initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason around 1978, under the authority of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Mason, State of California, Inc. at William Nickerson Jr. Lodge #55 in Los Angeles, CA. He later transferred his membership to John A. Barber Lodge #71 of Fontana, CA and in 1983 was elected to serve as its Worshipful Master.
He served in various official leadership roles at Masonic Lodges throughout California and Utah and was particularly proud to have formed a chapter of the Knights of Pythagoras within his Fontana, California Lodge. This Lodge mentored, tutored, and supported boys in Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the surrounding areas. Cliff and his lodge brothers frequently coordinated fishing trips, cultural events, and parades, always representing an example for young men. Cliff was also an active member of the Ogden, Utah NAACP.
Cliff remained passionate about education. Early on, he taught night school. He was a constant homework companion throughout his children’s education. He financially supported his childhood school in Nain and even helped ensure that many of his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews pursued this vital steppingstone and path to a better and more fruitful life.
Cliff married Barbara in 2005. He gained another daughter, Christin, in that union. They shared a wonderful life in Utah and in Texas. With their love, they traveled the world – their last trip was to Egypt. They led an annual golf tournament (another of his passions) for their church’s foreign mission.
He was a dedicated member of the Bulverde Baptist Church in Bulverde, Texas and could be counted on to participate and contribute wherever he was needed, whether it be Vacation Bible School or volunteerism.
Cliff spent the last 9 years of his life battling Amyloidosis. He never complained nor used his diagnosis as an excuse to not be of service to others. He was the epitome of grace even in the most difficult of times.
If Cliff was your friend, he was your friend for life. He will be missed every day. He embodied 2nd Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
