Former Anderson Councilman, WWII vet dies at 82

Photo by Photo courtesy of Michael McFarland

John McFarland (Photo courtesy of Michael McFarland)

John Maurice McFarland, 82, of Anderson died Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Shasta Regional Medical Center. A memorial service with military salute was held Monday at the Anderson Cemetery.

Born in Washington on February 18, 1925, McFarland left school after the ninth grade to support his family. He went to work welding in shipyards in Richmond, according to his son Michael McFarland. He worked his way up the California coast working in shipyards, met his wife, Elvera, and settled in Shasta County.

McFarland served during WWII as a Lieutenant 1st Seaman on the battleship USS Ajax. While in the Navy, he competed in ring fights with other enlisted men. He was a top-ranked “golden gloves” boxer who never lost a fight, according to his son Michael.

“He would always demand the best from us, to do the right thing,” said Michael McFarland. “He was the strength of the whole family. If anyone had a problem, we all went to him.”

McFarland contributed to the Anderson community in a variety of ways. Highlights of his work in local government and education follow:

• Assistant to the fire chief in Anderson from 1961 to 1964,

• Constable for the Anderson Police Department from 1964 to 1992,

• President of the board of the Cascade Union Elementary District from 1982 to 1987, and

• Anderson City Councilmember from 1994 to 1998.

He was a member of the VFW, the Lions Club and helped change exhibits at the historical society.

“I have a lot of respect for John McFarland, he’s an icon in Anderson,” Anderson mayor Keith Webster said. “It’s quite a loss to the City of Anderson; he touched so many people.”

McFarland was a business owner as well. He opened the Valley Theater in 1961 on South Street just south of the new teen center. He sold the business in 1968 when cable TV came to Anderson. He also opened a free boxing center next to the same theater for the youth of Anderson. The center had a boxing ring where competitions were held.

From 1965 to 1980, he owned Valley Cycle, a Yamaha motorcycle shop that was located on South Street across the street from Becca’s Café in Anderson.

Besides governmental and business interests, McFarland was concerned with the welfare of others. His granddaughter Ronda Hutchens said that he took care of what he called “LOLs” (Little Old Ladies). He took care of their yards, ran errands and was a grocery-getter for Virginia Onn and Belle McGee.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elvera McFarland, brother Glen McFarland, Lake Tahoe, Nev., son Michael McFarland, daughter Sharon Byrd, Redding, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Also present at the memorial service were retired Shasta County Sheriff Jim Pope, Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb, Captain Robert Kirvin, Council member Norma Comnick, Mayor Keith Webster and City Manager Scott Morgan among others.