Donald Mcfarland

Donald McFarland, of Sedalia, Missouri, died July 9, 2015, at the age of 101 and a half.

He was born on January 21, 1914 on a farm near Beaman, Missouri to Harry McFarland and Edyth (Richards) McFarland, the third of three sons. He graduated the eighth grade and went to work on the farm.  In his teenage years, Don was proud to present the reserve grand champion  black Angus bull at the American Royal.

Don loved cars and he loved driving them. Before meeting his wife, his most talked about trip was taking two friends to the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago in his Model A Ford. If you know Donald you have heard this story.

On November 2, 1940 he married his wife of 63 years, Gertrude (Tavenner) McFarland in the parsonage of the East Sedalia Baptist Church. He was drafted into World War II where he once again enjoyed driving, this time in a Sherman tank with Company A of the 20th Armored Division. After the end of the war Don parked his tank with the engine running and returned to Sedalia to meet his new son, William Donald McFarland, born July 4, 1945.

Don spent his working career with Blue Young Heating and Air-conditioning of Sedalia, retiring in 1976. He and Gertrude then spent many enjoyable years towing a travel trailer and “seeing the USA”. Eventually they found a winter home in Mission, Texas.

After Gertrude passed away in 2004, Don became passionate about making “things” out of wood. Many friends and acquaintances have received his mosquito houses, wood boxes, and turned candlesticks.  With his small lathe Don produced and gave away more than 200 wooden pens.  Most recently, he enjoyed meeting people, telling stories, and playing cards.

Don is survived by his son’s family:  Bill and Susan McFarland of Columbia; his 3 grandsons and their families: Mike McFarland and his daughters Ashton and Hadleigh of Columbia, Tom and Maria McFarland and their children Owen, Molly, Trevor and Patrick of O’Fallon, and Ryan and Jenn McFarland of Kansas City. He is also survived by 6 nieces and nephews including Margie Griffin of Sedalia and Jeannie Davis of Kansas City.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 13, 2015, at Heckart Funeral Home with Matthew Herren officiating.

Casket bearers will be Mike McFarland, Tom McFarland, Ryan McFarland, Loy Holman, Don Morton, and C.H. Williams.

Family will receive friends at 12:30 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery with full military honors being presented by the U.S. Army and VFW Post 2591.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests you follow Don’s example and give away something unexpected to someone you meet this week.