Charles R. McFarland Obituary
C.R. (Charles Ralph) McFarland, of Sabinal, Texas, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Friday, March 24, 2017 at age 91. He was affectionately known as ''Mr. Mac'' throughout his community. McFarland was born on April 2, 1925, in Maywood, Illinois to Ralph and Irene McFarland. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Irene McFarland, his wife Evelyn McFarland of 51 years, his two sisters, Joyce McFarland and Glenda Delott.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Pat McFarland; children Michael McFarland and wife Pearl of Greenville, Texas; step-children Anthony Anizan and wife Barbara of Pearsall, Texas; Jeanette Blount of Luling, Louisiana; Robert Hudson and wife Rita of Castroville, Texas and Paul Hudson and wife Alissa of Fredericksburg, Texas; brother-in-law Tommy Titsworth and wife Silvia of Comfort, Texas; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
McFarland was a three-sport letterman at East Proviso High School when he graduated in 1943. Upon graduation, he immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps and moved to San Antonio, Texas for basic training at Lackland AFB. McFarland ended up at ''Gunnery School'' at Laredo AFB. From there, he was assigned to Big Spring and became a bombardier.
After that he flew on a B-17 and was a flight officer. He flew missions over the battle fields, making two trips to Austria to pick up French POW's. McFarland came back to San Antonio in August of 1945 for training in B-29s to get ready for assignment in the Pacific and ended up making the area his home. When he came back to San Antonio, he enrolled for 12 hours at night school at Trinity University and played football for a semester.
From there, he landed an athletic scholarship. He also played basketball as guard and was first baseman on the Trinity baseball team. He is in an elite group of former Trinity athletes who lettered in three sports. Upon completing his education, McFarland spent the next 54 years in public school education. He was enticed to Sabinal in 1953.
During his time in Sabinal, he was hired a principal, but also was an assistant football coach, girls basketball coach and also coached track and baseball. The last 19 years, prior to retirement, he was superintendent of Sabinal ISD. McFarland was a community leader, active volunteer, Deacon of First Baptist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Lions Club, served on the board for the Emergency Medical Service, was an EMS volunteer, served on the Sabinal ISD Board of Education, City Council, Uvalde County Appraisal Review board and Sabinal cemetery caretaker.
McFarland was elected for one term to the Texas SilverHaired Legislature in the early 1990's. One of many programs he helped launch in the area was the development of the Sabinal Youth Baseball Field. Pallbearers will be Brian McFarland, Glen Anizan, Frank Anizan, Robert Hudson, Paul Hudson and Joe Borrego. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of the First Baptist Church in Sabinal.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Sabinal, Texas. Burial will follow at Sabinal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Sabinal P.O. Box 156, Sabinal, Texas 78881, Sabinal EMS, P.O. Box 104, Sabinal, Texas 78881 or Uvalde Hospice, 1038B Garner Field Rd, Uvalde, Texas 78801.
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