Donald Jack McFarland

​Donald Jack McFarland was born to Richard and Marie McFarland on July 1st, 1957. He grew up in San Diego with his parents and three older siblings, Janet, Raymond, and Mary Louise. As a family, they attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where Don was an altar server and actively involved in the youth group and the music group. As a child, Don enjoyed playing baseball and tennis. He became a huge Padres fan at a young age and was rarely seen without a Padres hat or shirt, even into adulthood. When not causing ruckus with his best friends, Kevin and Danny, Don was an avid reader, a Boy Scout, and a paper boy. Don and his dad built his first car together when he was 15 years old. Don was always interested in building things and became skilled at woodwork.

Don met his loving wife, Sue, in 1981 through Danny. While dating, they really enjoyed roller skating, walking on the beach, and playing mini golf. They were married on May 14, 1983. Unfortunately, their first child, Christina, passed away shortly after birth in 1984. In the following years, they had three more children: John, Sara, and Mark.

One of the biggest joys of Don's life was coaching his children in baseball and softball and sharing his love of the game with them. He was an umpire for many years. Don was always involved in the various activities of his children and was a volunteer at Foster Elementary School. Don served St. Therese Catholic Church for over 20 years by playing the guitar and singing in the music group. While the children were growing up, the McFarland family loved vacationing to Disneyland, Yosemite, and Rosarito Beach, where Don shared his love of fireworks with his children! Don loved taking his kids to the beach as much as he could over the summer and boogie boarding with them. Don was a handy man and taught his children and their friends many useful skills. Don and Sue always had a welcoming home. Don saw everyone as family and loved his children's friends as if they were his own.

Don's favorite thing to do was travel to Peoria, Arizona for baseball spring training with Kevin, Ed, and the boys. He loved "his Padres" and was a diehard fan every season, even when they team was not very good.

As his family grew up, Don continued to serve his St. Therese church community. He became very involved in the Cursillo movement, taught 5th grade faith formation classes, and was the president of St. Therese Charities. Don looked forward to serving at the Steubenville San Diego youth conference each year. He also loved traveling to Mexico with the youth group to build homes. Don was proud that each of his children participated in these trips and was actively involved in the youth group, just like he was as a teen. Don was a faithful servant of the Lord and loved sharing his faith with others.

Don became more involved with AA in his later years. He made incredible and supportive friends and found much strength in this community. He was a dedicated sponsor to many other men. He attended retreats with many of his buddies from AA.

Don's greatest joy in these recent years was his grandson, Peter. He loved visiting him in Texas and having him came to visit with John and Caroline. Don also found much joy in spending time with Sue's daycare children, Parker and Stella. They brought many smiles and laughs into the home and Don treasured his time with them. In his later years, Don was able to bike and kayak a lot, two things he really loved. He also enjoyed traveling and walking the dog around the neighborhood with Sue.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and battled bravely until the end. Even in his final days, Don remained joyful and faithful to the Lord. Don was constantly surrounded and supported by family and friends. Don passed away on January 10, 2016, in his home surrounded by those he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; son, John, daughter-in-law, Caroline, and their son, Peter; daughter, Sara and his future son-in-law, Matt; son, Mark; and sister, Mary Louise. He follows his parents, Richard and Marie, siblings, Janet and Raymond, and daughter, Christina to heaven.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." -Irish proverb

Please leave a memory of Don on this page. Thank you!

Viewing and Rosary:

Monday, January 18, from 4-7pm at Conrad's Mortuary (7387 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA, 91945). The rosary will begin at 5:30pm.

Funeral:

Tuesday, January 19, at 11am at St. Therese Catholic Church (6016 Camino Rico, San Diego, 92120).

Please instead of Flowers make a donation of your choosing to any Catholic charity. Thank You