Ralph Lamire McFarland, age 88 of Clinton, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 4, 1935, in Anderson County, son of late John Marshall McFarland and Sephie Leon (Edmonds) McFarland. Ralph lived a life of service to his family, church and community. He served as deacon, usher, and greeter at Second Baptist Church for decades, and always extended a smile and hearty handshake to those coming to worship. He was a former president of the South Clinton PTA and Optimist Club, and worked with youth league, basketball, football, and softball. He was an avid UT football fan and enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and several foreign countries.

His service extended beyond his local community: through his church and National Guard tenure, he supported several disaster relief efforts including Hurricane Andrew support in North Carolina. Ralph retired from the US Army and TN National Guard after 30 years of service. Professionally, he retired from Lockheed Martin Y-12. After retirement, he worked at the Anderson County Election Commission.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, his favorite travel and Ut football game companion, Barbara Sue (Duncan) McFarland; parents John and Sephie McFarland; brothers Elmer, Boyd, Herbert, and Cecil McFarland; sisters Madge Howard, Ruth Graham, Florence Cox, Alma McGill, and Reba Owens; grandchildren Chris White and Bridgette Stagnolia.

Survived by his children, Alan McFarland (Sandy), Cheryl Byrge (Bobby), and Beryle Cook (Mike); grandchildren April McKelvy, Trina Quigley (Karl), and Dee Dee Justice (Nathan); great grandchildren Alexis McFarland, Camden Rice, Kayle White, Sebastian and Mia McKelvy, Jack, Senan and Eabha Quigley; great great grandchildren Amari McFarland and Zuri Thrasher, sister Reva Walker and his many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to PCN Nursing and Tennova Hospice for the care given to Ralph, especially Jessie Perkins and Ashton Gaylor, who went above and beyond to support him.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00PM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Second Baptist Church in Clinton with the funeral service to follow. Ralph's interment will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 11:00AM at Woodhaven Memorial Garden with full military honors presented by Campbell County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, Ralph ask for donations to Northen Lights Mission, PO Box 889 Tok, Alaska 99780, (https://northernlightsmissions.com), or Tunnel to Towers, (t2t.org). Condolences can be sent online at www.holleygamble.com