McFarland, Dr. Gerald L. “Jerry”
died peacefully on November 29, 2016, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann McFarland (nee. Mabry).
Jerry was born into a loving and large family in Caledonia, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Lula Mae (nee. Imboden) McFarland, parents of eight children of whom Jerry was the youngest. Jerry was also preceded in death by two sisters and their husbands, Ruth (Norman) Bean and Mary Kathryn (“Bud”) Bell, and five brothers and three of their wives: Frank (Mildred), George, Warren (Ethel), Walter, and James Ralph “JR” (Dot). Jerry is survived by two sisters-in-law, Virginia “Gen” McFarland and Betty McFarland, and many loving cousins, nephews, nieces and their children.
Jerry loved life on a farm where he was born. He did not come from a long line of teachers but was inspired by his brother’s ambition to become an educator. In 1938, he began his life-long educational pursuits in a school that housed grades one through twelve, along with twenty other students in his first grade class. These same twenty students graduated together and Jerry stayed connected to them and the entire Caledonia community by faithfully attending reunions each year and reaching out to former classmates for years.
After high school, Jerry enlisted in the Navy and served in the Demilitarized Zone in Korea as a medic, attached to the Marines. He later continued his service in the reserves as he completed his undergraduate education.


After active Navy service, Jerry received a B.S. from Southeast Missouri University, a M.A. from Southern Illinois University, and a Ph.D from St. Louis University in School Administration. His entire career as an educator was at the middle school level—teaching science and later becoming principal of Northeast Junior High School and Central Junior High School in the Parkway School District. Jerry respected and supported teachers and regarded the students as young people who were being educated to love learning and make positive contributions to the nation and world.
Upon retiring from Parkway, Jerry began his own woodworking business completing many projects that ranged from renovations to construction of sun decks, to the designing and building of fine furniture. He took special pleasure in projects at Salem United Methodist Church where he revised certain designated pews in the main sanctuary to accommodate wheelchairs and created beautiful woodwork to house the organ speakers. The speakers are encased in molding that Jerry matched to original molding in the chapel. He also volunteered his skills to renovate the kitchen in the parsonage.
Jerry was devoted in the service he gave to Salem Church. He served on the Finance Committee, was a Trustee, and sang in the Chancel Choir for over 30 years.
Jerry was a man of many hobbies. Not only did he enjoy singing, he played bass with dear friends in the M&M’s combo. Jerry’s gardening was skillfully and tenderly rendered to create beautiful landscapes and interior plantings. He loved sailing and caring for the sailboat to keep it looking like new.
As recognized by many, Jerry worked to make things beautiful whether in the school setting or in many homes with his exquisite woodworking designs. An expert gardener, master woodworker and talented musician, he pursued his passions with intensity. Always calm and competent, he quietly made a positive difference in the lives of many students, educators, parents, friends and relatives, by seeing specific needs and quickly taking action to meet these needs in his quiet, unassuming way.

Funeral Service Saturday December 3rd , 11 am at Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church. Interment Bellerive Cemetery. If desired Memorial contributions may be made to Epworth Children and Family Services, Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church, or St. Andrews Charitable Foundation. Visitation Friday December 2nd , 5-8pm at Bopp Chapel, and Saturday 10-11am at Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church. www.boppchapel.com