Van Earl McFarland, III
1966-2014
Local artist Van Earl McFarland, III, 48, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 26, 2014. Van was born on September 24, 1966, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Houston, Texas. He spent the last 20 years of his life doing what he loved, painting, and the last 13 of those years married to the love of his life, Dawn Elizabeth McFarland. He is preceded in death by his father, Van Earl McFarland, II. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, mother Susan Hatchett McFarland, brothers Charles and wife Marcie and John and wife Julie, nephews Sam Allred McFarland and Graham Pilié McFarland, nieces Camille Jayne McFarland and Emma Lily McFarland, great uncle David Hatchett and wife Mary, aunt Elizabeth Hatchett, uncles Robert L. Hatchett, III and Norman McFarland and wife Dale, and the two black cats Dizzy and George. A reception celebrating his life, art, and love of color will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015, at Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter Street, Houston, Texas. Ars longa, vita brevis.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Dec. 30, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Van McFarland

Sponsored by Woodlawn Funeral Home & Garden of Memories.

91 Entries

Jim Humrichouse

December 24, 2019

I remember Van most from our jr high days. He was a great pitcher and I played catcher. We practiced a lot in his back yard. He was a little wild then but definitely threw some heat. Also played a lot of driveway basketball, yard football, and most of all rode motocross bikes seemingly everywhere. Van always had all the best bike gear!

We lost touch in high school as boys tend to do when their sports lives and social lives diverge, but I have great memories from boyhood. Sad to see him go so soon.

Robbie Hollingsworth

April 20, 2015

I cried when I heard about Van's passing today. I was friends with his brothers, and spent many days playing football, sports and hanging out with the elder statesman. I looked up to him and admired his talents as an artist and overall interesting guy. Many fond memories... My heart goes out to the family.

January 7, 2015

We were so very sorry to learn of Van's death. We did not know Van well, but he helped my 4 children paint a group of paintings that we gave their father for Christmas and is still hanging in our house in a prominent place. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. If there is anywhere that Van's artwork is displayed or can be purchased, I would love to know about it. Thank you and please accept our deepest sympathies. Charlotte Hickey [email protected]

Jim Humrichouse

January 2, 2015

My deepest sympathies to Dawn and the entire McFarland family. Van was a close childhood friend during some formative years in Houston. I will always remember the endless days of playing baseball, football, basketball and riding Motocross bikes in his driveway. Van was always one better than me and I looked up to him like an older brother. Rest in Peace Van. The world will miss you!

January 2, 2015

Our hearts are breaking for you, Dawn, and the McFarland family. Our deepest condolences.
Sonny, Monica, and the girls

December 31, 2014

My condolences to the family. May the God of all Comfort give you peace during this difficult time.

December 31, 2014

OUR DEEPEST SMYPATHY AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU DAWN. PEACE UNTO YOU AND VAN'S FAMILY.
DONNA, MELISSA, PATRICA FROM VALMONT SWITZERLAND

Hal Boylston

December 31, 2014

My deepest sympathies for such a great loss and unexpected passing. Van was my close childhood friend, whose enthusiasm, kindness, and charm shall never be forgotten. May you rest in peace, my dear friend.

December 31, 2014

Olga LaMont

December 30, 2014

My deepest sympathies to the family. I knew Van for 6 years. He was my neighbor in Winter street and I always admired his work. He was so nice and kind and a great artist. When I was at my studio, I would always run to his to see his newest work. I WILL MISS HIM! Olga LaMont

Lewises

December 30, 2014

Deepest sympathy to the family for this great loss. May the strength from GOD see you through this very difficult time. Having the support of each other and friends can bring you a measure of comfort.

December 30, 2014

I have loved Van for the past 13 years since he became married to my daughter Dawn.

Van's paintings have always been the center of my homes, and I felt his love in each of the paintings he brought into my life.

I will miss you so much, my dear son-in-law.

Rosalie Liles

December 30, 2014

I lost my son, also 48, in Sept. I know your pain and my prayers are with you. We grieve his loss as a wonderful person and a gifted artist.

Jennifer Welch

December 30, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you, your family, and friends.

Martin de Vore

December 30, 2014

During the 10 years that I knew Van, he was always ready to share his art and opinions on technique, color, marketing and other art-related topics. He was always nice to me when I'd encounter him at an art opening or at his studio in Winter Street and he was a genuine person, something of a rarity in the art world. My sympathy goes out to Dawn and to his family. He will be missed.

December 29, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss.

Richard Varela

December 29, 2014

Van's quiet expertise in curating the Winter St Artists gallery exhibition will be fondly remembered by me. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Van's family, friends and fellow artists. He will be greatly missed as his presence made Winter St Studios a better place. God Bless you, Van.

Randy & Bernie Howard

December 29, 2014

What a terrible loss. Our prayers and love are with you, Dawn. Nanny and Randy

Janice Peters

December 29, 2014

May his memory live on in your hearts. So sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Janice

Sandra Bell

December 29, 2014

This is heartbreaking. I attended Memorial High School with Van and was fortunate enough to have an Art Class with him. I always deserted my art table companions to go work at Van's art table because he had such great ideas and I loved to see his work! Prayers to his family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss. RIP, Van.

December 29, 2014

The words that come to my mind when I remember Van are kind,helpful,genuine,(the real deal) master painter, friend and good. He leaves a huge hole at Winter Street Studios and he will be greatly missed. Camille Pendleton

Mary Wilhelm

December 28, 2014

May the Lord be with his family and friends and Van seated at the right hand of our father.

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