Lee Lloyd McFarland

Lee Lloyd McFarland, age 93, of Jackson, CA, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020, in Jackson. Lee was born in Santa Cruz, CA on December 4, 1926, to the late Elizabeth Ione (Pinckard) and Lee McFarland. Lee graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1944 after which he attended Washington State College in Pullman, WA, majoring in both Chemistry and Veterinary Science. He enlisted in the U.S Marine Corp later that year and was proud to serve his country during WWII. After his tour of duty was over, he returned to Santa Cruz where he met the love of his life, Olwen, at a ballroom dance. They married soon afterwards, and resided first in Pasadena and then Gilroy, where Lee attended diesel mechanic school and sold tractors. After two years, they began a family and moved to San Jose where Lee worked for FMC for over 40 years, first as a technical writer for 34 years, and then as a facility manager until his retirement 7 years later. He and Olwen settled in Jackson in 1988 and became active in the square dancing community. Lee spent his retirement years enjoying woodworking (which he was very passionate about), gardening, farming, and, of course, square dancing. He was an active member, and a past-president, of the Jackson Claim Jumpers and the Calaveras Twirlers, and continued to dance two to three times a week until recently. Lee is survived by his daughter, Sue (Randy) Finch, of Folsom, CA; sons, Ken (Barbara) McFarland, of Walnut Creek, CA; Lee, Jr. (Edith) McFarland of MO; brother, Daniel McFarland, of Edmonds, WA; grandchildren; Tim (Kim) Finch, Cody McFarland, Lindsey Jasper, Elise McFarland, Kristen McFarland, Daniel McFarland; and great grandchildren, Holly and Derek Jasper and Matthew, Megan and Michael Finch. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Olwen, in 2006; granddaughter Kellie Finch in 2008; and his sisters, Ione Larson, Grace Littrell and Dolli Nordyke Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life on Saturday Feb 8, 2020 at 2pm, The Italian Benevolent Society Hall, Sutter Creek, CA. Private interment will be at Sunset View Cemetery, Tranquility Garden in Jackson. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Amador and Calaveras Counties 1500 S. Hwy 49 #205 Jackson, CA 95642.