Ralph Irel McFarland | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Ralph Irel McFarland, Capt. USN/Ret., age 91, a resident of Pamlico Plantation Community, Washington, NC, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014.

    Ralph was born in Pineville, LA on August 1, 1923 to parents Florence Austin McFarland and Joseph Cephas McFarland, and had three brothers and three sisters. He received a bachelor of science degree from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, on a full football scholarship and a master of science degree from the University of Arkansas while coaching high school football on the side. On September 21, 1944, he married Dorothy Jane Brock McFarland, his wife of 70 years. They celebrated their anniversary together on Sunday, September 21, 2014. That same year, he was commissioned and designated a Naval aviator after completing training at the University of Texas/Flight prep school.

    Ralph had a long and successful career in the Navy. In 1945 Ralph was aircraft carrier qualified on the U.S.S. Wolverine, a steam ship converted to a carrier on the Great Lakes. He completed landing signal officer school in 1945, repeatedly receiving the safety award. During his Naval career, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Saratoga, the U.S.S. America, and the U.S.S. Enterprise. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and was commanding officer of VC-2 a F8 Crusader squadron at Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1964 Ralph was Strike Operations Officer on the U.S.S. America; in 1969 he was Air Warfare Officer on the U.S.S. America on Yankee Station; in 1969 he was stationed in Washington, DC at the Naval Air Systems Command; and in 1973 he was Commanding Officer of the ROTC at Georgia Tech.

    Ralph retired from the Navy in 1973 after serving for 30 years. He and wife Dottie built their dream home on Lake Gaston, in Littleton, North Carolina. While living at Lake Gaston, Ralph was instrumental in establishing the Lake Gaston Medical Clinic and served on the Board of Directors for 10 years.

    In 1994 Ralph and Dottie moved to Pamlico Plantation in Washington, North Carolina, to be closer to the coast and the additional boating opportunities. Ralph was an active member of the Pamlico Plantation community. An excellent sailor, Ralph enjoyed many years of sailing and boating with his First Mate Dottie.

    Ralph is survived by his wife Dorothy Jane Brock McFarland; children, Jane Anne McFarland O'Neill (Thom) of Danville, Virginia, and Robert Stephen McFarland (Peggy) of Hyco Lake, North Carolina; grandchildren T.J. O'Neill, IV (Stacey) of Media, Pennsylvania, Kerry O'Neill Irwin (Chris) of Georgetown, Kentucky, Robert Stephen McFarland, II of Concord, North Carolina, and William Brock McFarland of Danville, Virginia; and great-grandchildren Liam O'Neill and Andrew O'Neill. Ralph is preceded in death by his son, William Joseph McFarland on April 27, 1969; his parents, Florence McFarland and Joseph McFarland; his brothers, Samuel, JC, and Packie McFarland; and his sisters, Johnnie Mae Martin, Maude M. Claflin, and Fannie Mae Norwood.

    A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, September 25, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, Washington, NC officiated by Pastor Lee Kinney. A reception will follow the service at the Pamlico Plantation Clubhouse. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September, 24, 2014 at Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 E., Washington, NC and other times at the home. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made in memory of Ralph McFarland, Capt., USN/Ret., to Operation Military Embrace (operationmilitaryembrace.com) P.O. Box 149, Hockley, Texas 77447-0149.

    The family is most grateful for the wonderful and loving care Ralph received from his caregivers: Diane, Rachael, Thelma, Bertie, Ellen, and Debbie.