William Gary McFarland passed peacefully from this life into the next on January 27, 2018, due to heart and renal failure. He was born Oct. 15, 1935 to William Grant and Alice Marie Smith McFarland in Logan, Utah, the oldest of six children. He married Carol Cannon in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct. 28, 1960, 57 years ago, and they were blessed with five wonderful children, all grown with families of their own. He and Carol have enjoyed a happy life together.
Gary had fond early childhood memories of growing up in Northern Utah and in the State of Washington prior to returning to Salt Lake in his teens. He graduated from East High School, Class of '53 where he participated in debate. He served a mission for the LDS Church to the Great Lakes Mission and attended the University of Utah where he studied business and met his companion, Carol. He served in the Utah Air National Guard; also participated 18 years in Rotary Club.
Gary retired from the Boy Scouts of America after a distinguished 36-year career. He was a District Executive in the San Diego and Yosemite Area Councils in California; Lake Bonneville and Salt Lake Councils in Utah;Jim Bridger Council in Wyoming where he was the Scout Executive; and the National BSA Council in Dallas, Texas, where he and his family resided for 18 years prior to relocating back to Utah. He valued many friendships with the volunteers, fellow employees and young men. Gary achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and served as Cub Master and Scout Master. He directed numerous summer camps including Camp Mataguay in the San Diego area and Camp McBride in the High Sierras, CA;the Canoe Base in Jackson, WY;Camp New Fork in the Wind Rivers, WY;and Camps East Fork andSteiner in the high Uintas. Gary attended National Jamborees, participated with Woodbadge, trained many leaders and worked in all the Western States. He loved the "back country roads" and qualified as the family tour guide.
Gary was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many capacities including Bishop of the Turlock Ward in California,High Priest Group Counselor and Leader, teacher, StakeSundaySchool, Dallas Temple Security, ER Preparedness chairman, Ward Mission Leader, and as a faithful home teacher. He had an abiding faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was currently a service missionary at the LDS Church Office Building.
Spending quality time with family, friends and neighbors was Gary's top priority. He enjoyed going on adventures, traveling with his wife, visiting new countries as well as small towns everywhere, reading, relaxing, golfing and finding lost golf balls. He was a happy, good-natured, easy-going, kind-hearted, fun-loving husband, father, grandpa and friend. He came up with a new joke daily and announced most mornings that it was going to be "just another day in Paradise!"
Gary is survived by his wife, Carol and 5 children: John (Diana) in Syracuse; Janet (Craig) McBeth in W. Jordan; Kristina Bond in Australia; Rebecca (Ryan) Hinman in Draper; and David (Noelle) in Frisco, TX. Fourteen "favorite" grandkids include: Megan (Sam) Thornton, Lindsey (Andrew) Cramer, Adriana McFarland; Kristen (Aric) Bodily, Katelyn, Kyle (Marissa), Kurtis McBeth; Kaleb and Connor Bond;Chloe and Harper Hinman;William, Hayden and Harrison McFarland; and 4 great grandchildren. Also Gary is survived by 3 sisters: Joyce (Fred) Day;Alice Ann (Eldon) Weber;Carolyn (Gary) Ford; and brother, Jim (Sonnie) McFarland and numerous nieces and nephews. He waspreceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph and nephew, Richard.
Funeral services will be heldSaturday, February 3rd, at 12:00 noonin the Monument Park Ward Chapel, 1005 S. 20th East, Salt Lake City. Friends and family may visit from10:00--11:30 a.m.prior to the services. A visitation will also be heldFridayevening,February 2nd, from6:30--8:00p,m, at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary located at 2350 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Interment with the Scottish bagpipes will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
