James Thomas McFarland

James Thomas McFarland (Tommy), 78 years old, lived his final days in Calhoun, Georgia and passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Etowah Landing Nursing Home in Rome, Georgia. Tommy was one of 7 children. He was born on July 9, 1947, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Buie and Ola Bell (Witzel) McFarland of Rossville, Georgia, He grew up in Rossville, Georgia along with his siblings Betty Lou (Williams), John Buie McFarland, William Crawford McFarland (DUB), Mary Ann (Williams), George Donald McFarland (Don), and Jenny Lynn (Saffels).

In his early years he enjoyed baseball, playing marbles, football and bowling. He grew to have a love for cars, specifically Dodge and was a big Mopar fan. He lived his final years in his own place on the grounds of the Paradise Racetrack in Calhoun, Georgia. He loved going to the drag races and talking cars. He loved his family and friends. He loved retelling childhood stories about his cherished mom and growing up in Rossville, Georgia with his siblings. He enjoyed old music and spending time when he could with his best friend Angelo Caravello.

He graduated from Rossville High School in Rossville, Georgia in 1965. In April of 1969, knowing he would most likely be drafted, he joined the US Airforce and served primarily as a weatherman in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was during this time while serving in Vietnam that he met a good friend Dan Nye. The Nye family invited him to come to Washington state to spend time with the Nye family from Carrolls, Washington. He spoke highly of both Ben & Helen Nye even in his later years, retelling old stories he treasured from his visits. Years later in February 1976, he had his only child Beryl Jean (BJ), with Anita Marie Nye (who passed away in 1988).

After his time serving in the Airforce, he lived briefly in Washington state where in 1980, Tommy completed two associate degrees from Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington in automotive technology and welding. He later moved back to his hometown of Rossville, Georgia and worked as a welder for years until he retired in 2009. He spent his remaining days living near the racetrack in Calhoun, Georgia and among his racetrack family.

Tommy is survived by his beloved sister Jenny Lynn Saffels (husband Eddie) and several nieces and nephews from Rossville, Georgia and his daughter BJ Sheppler (husband Douglas) of Longview, Washington, four grandchildren: Chelsie Lyn Gersen (Joe), Kayla Anita-Darlene Draves (Steven), Taitum Renae Hooge (Austin), Jaedan Nathanael Thomas Jackson, and nine great-grandchildren: Brooks, David, Mavis, Anita, Leo, Jeffrey, Josephine, Ezra, and Benjamin James, all residing in Washington state.

Tommy will be honored by being laid to rest with a private inurnment at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com. Arrangements by the South Chapel of Lane Funeral Home in Rossville, GA.