Frank Kenneth McFarland Jr., 88, of Tryon, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 in Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills, Landrum.
A native of Tryon, he was the president and owner of McFarland Funeral Chapel Inc. and was instrumental in building the facility at its current location in l962. He served as a Western District Representative to the N.C. Board of Funeral Directors Association in the late l950s and was well known for his caring concern to the many families he served. Frank operated the first ambulance service in Polk County for many years, and in l955 he, along with a brother-in-law, opened the only perpetual care cemetery in Polk County, Polk Memorial Gardens.
The son of the late Frank K. Sr. and Flora Fisher McFarland, he graduated from Tryon High School in l94l, where he was an accomplished athlete, being named MVP of the all county basketball conference. He graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in l943 and was licensed as a funeral director and embalmer on his 21st birthday, April 20, 1944.
Frank joined the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Dauphin as a pharmacist mate during WWII. Upon his return from the war he joined his father and mother in the operations of McFarland’s, serving thousands of families in his 70-year career. In l950, he married Wayne Burkehead Strother of Woodruff, S.C.
Frank was active in the community over the years. At the time of his death he was the oldest living Tryon volunteer fireman, serving for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Tryon Rotary Club and member of the VFW Post, 4505, Tryon. Frank was an avid tennis player and enjoyed all sports his entire life. He was a member of the Tryon Presbyterian Church, Tryon.
Surviving are: a son, Frank Kenneth McFarland III; daughter-in-law, Darlene McFarland, and a grandson, Frank K. “Keen” McFarland IV, all of Tryon. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Wayne S. McFarland, who died in 2007; a stepson, Gary Strother, and three sisters, Elizabeth Burleson, Mary Hague and Ruth Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, with Dr. James McPherson, Dr. Darryl E. Maxwell and Dr. Chris Osborn officiating.
Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, with military rites by the Polk Memorial Burial Squad.
Family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.
Everyone is invited to return to the McFarland Funeral Chapel for a reception immediately following the committal in Polk Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Hospital, Building on Excellence, New Orthopedic Wing, 101 Hospital Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.
An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.