Dr. Richard Francis McFarlin

Dr. Richard Francis McFarlin died November 3, 2024 in Cary NC at the age of 95. He was born on October 12, 1929 in Oklahoma City OK to Loy Lester McFarlin and Julia Mae Collins McFarlin. He graduated from Little Rock (AR) High School in 1947 and was a 1951 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, where he played football, wrestled and threw the discus. He earned a PhD in Chemistry at Purdue University and enjoyed a successful career as a research chemist and corporate executive, working at Monsanto in St Louis, the Agrichemicals division of US Steel in Atlanta and Lester Laboratories in Atlanta. He concluded his career as Research Director at The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute in Bartow FL. His interests included fishing, sports, restoring cars and working crossword puzzles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years Clara Jane Burroughs McFarlin and two brothers, Dr. Robert L. McFarlin of Salisbury MD and Jack C. McFarlin of Little Rock AR. He is survived by one brother, Whitney A. McFarlin of Minneapolis MN; four children, Robin Godwin (N’Earl) of Winston-Salem NC, Richard P. McFarlin (Sonia) of Jacksonville FL, Rebecca Bray (Michael) of Cary NC, and Roger McFarlin (Pam) of Statesboro GA; eight grandchildren, Dr. Trey Godwin, Brooks Godwin, Ryan McFarlin, Christian McFarlin, Ginny Bray Ho, Katie Bray, Stephen McFarlin and Sarah McFarlin; five great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and special friend Sarah Winslow. Memorial donations in his name may be made to Virginia Military Institute in Lexington VA.

A private ceremony will be held by the family at a later date.