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Rand McFarland Obituary
URBANA - Rand Russell McFarland died Tuesday (Nov. 8, 2022).
He was born in Akron, Ohio, on Aug. 11, 1946. He lived in Urbana.
Rand graduated from Roy C. Start High School in Toledo, Ohio, and from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. While at Ohio University, he was a proud member of the marching band, including the Marching Men of Ohio, created in 1967 when Gene Thrailkill changed the program. Rand enjoyed his association with the Ohio University Marching Band Society of Alumni and Friends and made many trips to campus to participate in homecoming parades and other alumni events.
Rand served a total of 30 years as a military musician in various units of the U.S. Army, Ohio Air National Guard, Illinois Army National Guard and Illinois Air National Guard.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he enjoyed being able to serve. He especially loved assisting with the nursery (ages 1-3 years) on Sunday mornings; he rarely met a small child who wouldn't settle while listening to him read.
He worked for the University of Illinois as an account tech in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
In 1969, he married Sharon DeVoe at Galbreath Chapel on the campus of Ohio University. He played trombone with a brass ensemble to provide prelude music at his own wedding. He and Sharon have been married 53 years. He was the proud father of four sons and 12 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert McFarland and Beatrice Keech McFarland, as well as one brother and two sisters.
He is survived by his sister, Kathy McFarland-Boden; wife, Sharon; sons, James (Jennifer), Brian (Heidi), John and Christopher (Megan); and grandchildren, Ethan, Lauren (Tom), Jackson, Ainsley, Schuyler, Zane, Liberty, Ewan, Ella, Reis, Betsy and Abigail. He loved to play trains with each of them until they outgrew their love of trains; he never outgrew his.
During his final illness, he was cared for at home by his wife, sons and sister. The family is very grateful for the compassionate care provided by Carle Hospice and by medical professionals at Carle, especially Dr. Amanda Walker.
A memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Windsor Road in Champaign on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at Danville National Cemetery, Danville, with Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, handling arrangements (morganmemorialhome.com).
Donations in Rand's memory may be made to Carle Hospice.
Memories and Condolences
for Rand McFarland
Stu Shear
November 4, 2024
My sincerest condolences to Rand's family. Like myself, Rand was one of our OU MMO / 110 founding members that begant he 110 legacy.
Stu Shear
March 21, 2024
Rand and I were in the original Marching Men of Ohio / 110 at Ohio University and played in many of the university musical ensembles together. He was a great musician and a fantastic person. He will be missed. My sincerest condolences to the family.
Holly Kostopulos (then Herath)
July 12, 2023
I just found out about Rand´s passing. I served with him in in the IL ANG in the Band of the Midwest. He was an amazing musician and leader. He always had a smile on his face and made us laugh.
Lt Col Bryan Miller
November 12, 2022
Our dear, departed Comrade in Arms will be truly missed by all who had the privilege to share the bandstand with him while donning cloth of our nation. Whether in Army Green or Air Force Blue, in IL, or in OH, we're all the richer for having been friends with such a fine man, musician, and true patriot. Blue Skies, Rand!
Stephen and Judy Eakle
November 12, 2022
Very sorry to hear about MSgt. McFarland's passing. He was a unique and talented member of a great Unit. It was my honor to serve with him. Our condolences to the McFarland family. Thank you for the years of sacrifice you made so Rand could serve his state and nation. RIP.
CMSgt Jim Filipek
November 11, 2022
I had the honor of serving with Rand in the Air National Guard. He was a true professional who exemplified the core values of the United States Air Force. Thanks to Rand and his family for his service to his country.
Jerry and Cindy Royse
November 11, 2022
We met Rand in 1966 when he started dating my friend Sharon. He was a witty, good guy who loved the Marching Men of Ohio. We loved seeing him march with the Ohio University Alumni band . He was a devoted husband to Sharon for 53 years, and a very proud father and grandfather. We will miss seeing him marching down Court Street, playing his trombone. Our deep sympathy to Sharon and all the family.
Sophia
November 11, 2022
Deepest condolences. He was an amazing example for the youth and children of our church. He is greatly missed.
Bryan Endres
November 10, 2022
My sincere condolences. I worked with Rand at UI and he was always a great colleague.
Peg Miller
November 10, 2022
Rand McFarland was a wonderful, positive influence on my life. I met Rand when I joined the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest, and we enjoyed each other's company. Rand always scoped out a church building for Sundays when we were on tour and didn't have a concert scheduled. If we had a free day during a tour, we golfed on occasion. Around my guard band life, I quote Rand often: when we had an outdoor gig that suddenly turned into an indoor gig, he said "Am I the only one who forgot my service coat?". He was, but this became a mantra for the forgotten item, whatever it was, in perpetuity. He would also rant about people in practice rooms when we didn't have a group rehearsal, saying we needed to play as a group more and get away from this "dang conservatory atmosphere". He would make me laugh every single time we did anything with an Army band, where they would have something they couldn't do or had to do, and he would say "It's not easy being green.". Rand was a rare dry wit, and I still remember the first time I saw his personalized license plate - URVANA. Just thinking about him makes me smile. I will miss you, my friend, and look forward to seeing you again in the next life.
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