David John McFarlane

David John McFarlane, 85, of Charlottesville, Virginia died on Sunday, October 16, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, David Hume and Bertha Phin McFarlane; by his infant sister, Sheila Jane McFarlane; by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends in Scotland, New England, and Upstate New York; and by his beloved West Highland Terrier, Isla; all of whom affirmed and encouraged his joy of life, his delight in music and the arts, and his commitment to friendship, mutual respect, justice, and generosity in the human community.

Dr. McFarlane was born in Niagara Falls, New York on May 13, 1937, and was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School, the University of Rochester, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and St. Mary’s College of Divinity at the University of St. Andrew in Fife, Scotland.

He served three wonderful congregations who returned to him and his family the affection and respect with which he regarded them: First Presbyterian Church, Pittsford, New York; North Presbyterian Church, Williamsville, New York; and The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He regarded the mentors he experienced and the staff alongside whom he had the honor of working as treasured colleagues and friends.

In his fifty years of ministry, Dr. McFarlane understood the calling of a pastor to be, in Reinhold Niebuhr’s words, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. For him, ministry included thoughtful preaching and teaching, faithful pastoral care, and a good sense of humor; but, also welcoming the stranger and the outcast, working for global peace, racial justice, reproductive rights for women, respect for and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and for mutual respect and sharing among the world’s religious communities.

Dr. McFarlane is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Ann Funkhouser McFarlane, their three children and their families: Steven Hume McFarlane and his wife Casey of Louisburg, North Carolina; and his children Emma (Michael), Jake, Rory, and Will; Emma and Michael’s children, Jameson and Olivia; Elizabeth Ann McFarlane of Durham, North Carolina; Christopher John McFarlane and his wife Susan of Alexandria, Virginia and his sons John and David. He is also survived by his AFS son, Jens Lohmann of Bonn, Germany and his family; his beloved nephew Peter Gray Funkhouser of Ajijic, Mexico and his nieces, Sarah (Tim), Susan, and Lisa (Trent); his cherished colleagues The Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Yorty of

Buffalo, New York and The Rev. Dr. Jean H. Henderson of Ben Avon, Pennsylvania and their families; and a lifelong friend, James C. Kew of Simsbury, Connecticut.

A private service of committal is planned for November 5, 2022 in Charlottesville, with a grander celebration of life to be scheduled at another time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to Westminster Presbyterian Church at 400 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.