Jack Edmund McFarland

Jack was born on January 24, 1956 to Jack and Atha McFarland in Parkersburg, WV. Growing up, Jack loved fishing on his Uncle Ike’s boat, traveling to Cincinnati with his parents to catch a Reds game, and later, going to many different music festivals that fostered his lifelong love of music. He graduated with a degree in business from Marietta College in 1978, and started a long career (34 years) at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, OH that gave him the opportunity to travel internationally, and to live in Frankfurt, Germany, and Geneva, Switzerland.

Jack was a huge sports fan, particularly for the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University. He loved going to Bearcat basketball and football games with his three sons and could talk for hours about all things from recruiting and player stats to game plays and coaching shortfalls. Jack loved coaching his sons’ baseball teams, attending Reds Opening Day with the boys, DJing high school hockey games, skiing with the boys in Europe, and playing golf with them as adults. Many neighbors (Lagoonies) remember Jack’s enthusiasm for the NCAA basketball pool, with his detailed summaries after each round, and laugh that he missed his calling as a sports writer.

In 2001, Jack met his soulmate, Sherri. The 20 years they had together was far too short, but they made beautiful use of it, traveling all over the world both for youth mission trips as well as vacations to remote islands in the Caribbean and river cruises through Europe. In 2014, Jack and Sherri moved to St. James where Jack was very involved in the St. James Fishing Club and couldn’t wait to be out on the water. He loved to head out early, watch the sunrise over the water, and feel the serenity of God’s beautiful creation, even if he occasionally didn’t catch any fish. Jack was a music aficionado, as evidenced by his eclectic playlists and eagerness to find that next great artist. He had a love/hate relationship with golf; illustrated by a high passion to go with his somewhat high handicap. More important was the comradery that came from being on the course with great friends.

Jack especially loved spending time with his eight grandkids. He was an awesome role model but still became a kid again when horsing around with the grandkids. They all loved spending time with Grandpa Jack and making so many sweet memories, including fishing in the pond and the annual St. James Fishing Derby, days at the beach, amateur golf lessons, YouTube music video roulette, and even just playing around on his iPad (Grandpa always had the best games). Around St. James, Jack could often be seen driving with Arnie, his golden retriever, sticking his head out of the back car window. The two were constant companions.

Jack had many unique gifts and characteristics that guided how he lived his life. These values left a lasting impression on all people fortunate enough to know him. He had a strong Christian foundation, a sincere compassion for people, and a belief in living by example to show others the love of Christ. He was passionate about youth ministry which led him to be a leader on numerous youth mission trips across Jamaica, Haiti, Belize, and the U.S. His sons talk about the gift he had of striking that perfect balance of knowing when to give soft love or hard love; of knowing when to give the feedback that they needed to hear instead of what they wanted to hear. That balance was a reflection of the level-headed persona Jack seemed to master, and helped others strive to achieve it as well, all while making them feel the love he had for them, and the desire for what is the best for them.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sherri; his mother, Atha; his children Joshua (Anjali) McFarland, Matthew McFarland, J.D. McFarland, Melanie (Carter) Garrett, and John (Jessica) Kail; his grandchildren Sophie, Miles, and Lucie McFarland, Sylvia and Teddy McFarland, Jackson and Jenna Garrett, and Jacob Kail; his sister, Ann O’Nale; nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Jack Sr.

There will be a celebration of Jack’s life at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Matthew 25 Ministries (www.m25m.org), a mission close to Jack’s heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the McFarland family.

Peacock-Newman & White Funeral and Cremation Service