Raymond McFARLANE

Raymond McFarlane, 86, died on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his family and was in the care of Good Samaritan Hospice and Care Advantage. He is survived by his first and only love, his devoted wife Polly, with whom he has celebrated 64 years of marriage. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Nancy McFarlane; and by a daughter, Carol Davidson and a son-in-law, Joe Preseren. Lloyd McFarlane, a brother, also survives. A daughter, Diane Elizabeth McFarlane Preseren predeceased him.
His eight grandchildren were a great joy in his life: Katie McFarlane Thompson, Emily McFarlane Rey, Reynolds McFarlane, Hunter Davidson, Lauren, Katherine, Anna and Joseph Preseren. All of the grandchildren enjoyed tree houses built just for them by their Grandaddy Mac in four separate states.
He is also survived by several special relatives, sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Tid) Booth, a brother-in-law, Osborne Reynolds, cousins Ann Sanders and Jerry Wallace and nephews, Buddy and Raymond Guynn.
Raymond was a native of Tazewell County. Upon the death of his mother when he was only three years old, he was raised by his loving Uncle and Aunt, Floyd and Katurah McFarlane Johnson, in the SW Virginia town of Pocahontas, Virginia.
After high school, he served in the U S Naval Reserve during World War II. Following his discharge, he enrolled at Emory and Henry College, where he met Polly. He later transferred to the Medical College of Virginia's School of Pharmacy, where he earned his BS in Pharmacy degree. After working in retail pharmacy in Covington, Dublin, and Galax, Virginia, he retired as a hospital pharmacist at the VA Hospital in Salem, Va. During his career, he had the opportunity to transfer for a summer to the VA Pharmacy in Anchorage, Alaska. While there, he took advantage in his off hours to explore the great fishing and hunting sites of the area.
Windsor Hills United Methodist church was Raymond's church home. He was a proud member of Star City Hunt Club, and he enjoyed many hours of camaraderie with his fellow sportsmen. He was an environmentalist who revered our beautiful mountains and countryside. He especially enjoyed time spent at the Giles County family farm located on the Blue Grass Trail. He was a wildflower enthusiast and could identify most plants in the wild. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and was a member of the Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc. He was a Virginia gentleman in every way.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at Oakey's South at 10 a.m. prior to the service, which will follow in the chapel at Oakey's South, 4257 Brambleton Ave., at 11 a.m. Reverend Branan Thompson will officiate. Burial will be at the Newport Cemetery in Giles County at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the After Care Mental Health Ministry at Windsor Hills UMC, 3591 Windsor Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24018 or to Newport-Mount Olivet UMC, P. O. Box 133, Newport, Virginia 24128.
Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131