Timothy Ely McHargue

July 20, 1951 - June 16, 2025

Sacramento, California - Tim passed peacefully into God's hands on June 16, 2025, after a fierce battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife Lynnette Diem, sister Marianne, brothers Dan, Tom, Jerry and Jim, nephews Kyle, Grayson and Ryan, nieces Jana, Heather, Meredith and Amber, and many great nephews and great nieces. Preceded in death by his parents Jefferson Davis McHargue, Jr. and Jeanne Ely.

A southern California native, Tim's family moved to Sacramento when he was 12. He made Sacramento his home except for four years living and working abroad in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he met his wife Lynnette, and four years in Nevada City.

Tim was educated at Jesuit High School in the turmoil of the 1960s and while there developed a strong social justice orientation and the ability to think critically and question authority. He received a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from UOP, and directed a program for students with disabilities at Folsom Lake College for 16 years.

Tim co-founded a Thomas Merton Circle as part of the International Thomas Merton Society. He started reading Merton in high school and continued to read, write and be deeply influenced by Merton's work on the contemplative experience. This awareness was interwoven into Tim's artistic aesthetic and his desire to be of service.

Tim was a Renaissance man who touched and influenced countless lives through his counseling, writing, music and art. He loved people and believed that being a friend meant helping friends to grow and develop their potential. Tim's impact on his friends, family, students, and whoever he met will be lasting. He was fearless in life both in living and in dying.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 3159 Land Park Drive, on July 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. The family requests donations be made to the Abbey of New Clairvaux.

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

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Jun. 27 to Jun. 29, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Timothy McHargue

Sponsored by Sacbee.com.

13 Entries

Tom Goff

August 1, 2025

In Memoriam Tim McHargue
poet, musician, artist, head of DSPS at Folsom Lake College

Great impresario of Earth Day readings
Alongside your main work for Folsom Lake;
Infused with subtle humor, your proceedings,
Accommodations nurtured from intake:
You helped disabled students we both knew
Progress (however sorely underfunded
Your mission). Poetry, cable-knit, wove through
All our too-brief chats, never to be “undid.”
Your shelves: New Zealand, Indonesian, Aussie
Poets—was it your copy of Les Murray
That drew me to him? Your smiles, chuckles, glossy
Sweep of white surf-wave hair, your what-me-worry
Yet porcupine-barbed dream verse, all surreal
Eros-Thanatos mid-air-bell-pull sex appeal

Dennis Smith

Planted Trees

Biology Department Friends - Folsom Lake College

Planted Trees

Mary Hansen

July 7, 2025

From my first day as a college nurse at Folsom Lake College Tim made me feel welcome. We used to have the best discussions on topics ranging from health, to psychology, traveling, to art, to spirituality. I loved how he took up art and used his creativity so beautifully. I´m so sad to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to Lynnette and his family. He will be greatly missed.

Jos Eitel Folsom lake College

July 7, 2025

I worked with this for the entire time he was at Folsom Lake College. He really loved the students he served and his support of them went beyond just the normal tasks. Hw was their friend, coach, cheer leader and sounding board. He was also that to the teachers he worked with and there were many time he helped me by listing, suggesting a better solution for a student or just spending time helping me see the student in a clearer light. He grew with the new college and was missed when he retired, This maymake me sould like I am getting old but they are not making many more like Tim these days

Margaret and Michael Cendroski

July 4, 2025

Condolences to family.

Christopher Mackey

July 4, 2025

Tim and I met in high school. Our lives intertwined throughout the next 60 years. Though we shared many interests, music and playing music was at the center. I am happy to have been a close friend.

Sidney Bazett

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Sidney Bazett

July 2, 2025

Tim and I shared so many rich conversations about our work as psychologists, life in places like El Dorado County and Indonesia. Tim shared such joy in showing his latest artistic creations. My life was enriched by knowing him as a friend. Our world is reduced by his passing.

Greg Kestel

July 1, 2025

On the river with Tim and Dan.

Terri and Norbert Wollak

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Flowers

Norbert & Terri Wollak

June 30, 2025

We have many fond memories of evenings with Tim and Lynette. Tim lives on in the hearts and minds of all who love him. For, what is loved is never lost and he is loved so much.
Terri and Norbert Wollak

A'Delle and Bill

June 28, 2025

Lynnette and family, Tim will remain in our hearts forever. It's impossible to know the number of coffees, dinners, books, songs, poems, and discussions that were shared, but we do know that the memories and the joy will remain forever.
All our love,
Bill and A'Delle

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results