Robert Lee McFarlin III

Colorado Springs — Robert Lee McFarlin III "Trey", 52, died Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 2:25 AM at The Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Colorado Springs following a year and a half fight with Metastatic Melanoma.

He leaves his wife of 30 years, Julie (Fowler) McFarlin; his daughter, Brittany Elrod (her husband, Bryan) and his son, Andrew McFarlin; his father and step-mom, Robert McFarlin and Charlotte McFarlin; his brother, Brent McFarlin (his wife, Melanie) ; step-sister, Lisa Prince (her husband Brett); step-brother, Brian Clark (his wife, Lara); mother-in-law, Betty (Standlee) Fowler; sister-in-law, Susan Wray (her husband, James); brother-in-law, Robert Fowler (his wife, Carrie); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many close friends and co-workers.

Trey is preceded in death by his mother, Gay (Parker) McFarlin; father-in-law, Clois Fowler; twin infant sisters, June and Jean McFarlin; his nephew, John Parker McFarlin; and grandparents.

Born in Abilene, Texas and raised in Arlington, Texas, the son of Robert and Gay (Parker) McFarlin, he grew up in Arlington, Texas and later lived in Colorado Springs, CO for 27 years. While in Colorado Springs, he attended and was an Elder at Eastside Church of Christ and was Vice President of Special Projects at Concepts in Millwork, Inc.

After graduating from Arlington High School in 1980, he attended Abilene Christian University, graduating in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in Science. He met his wife, Julie Fowler, at ACU on a ski trip in Durango, CO and they were married in 1984 at Minter Lane Church of Christ. In the summer of 1987, Trey and Julie took a vacation to Colorado, where he answered a newspaper ad for a Project Manager position with Concepts in Millwork, Inc. Trey accepted their offer, fulfilling a lifelong dream to live in the mountains of Colorado. His can-do attitude, great ability to estimate and manage projects and people made him an invaluable and loyal leader of the Concepts Team.

Upon arriving in Colorado Springs, Trey and Julie felt a great need to become an integral part of the church body at Eastside Church of Christ. He taught Bible classes on different age levels but especially loved teaching younger children because of his great love for kids and a child-like faith. His servant heart has been a great example to so many in need and his desire to help others will be remembered forever. In addition to teaching, Trey's love for the body of Christ and his ability as a leader gave him the great blessing to serve as an Elder and Shepherd over the Eastside congregation since 2007.

Trey had a great desire and passion for being in one of God's greatest natural creations, the Rocky Mountains. He loved taking family vacations all over the state, especially those that took them to a ski slope or a trout stream. He also loved showing off his adopted state of Colorado and spent many trips showing visitors the beauty it had to offer. Trey loved to teach and one of his favorite subjects was the art of fly fishing. He loved to share his favorite hobby and received as much joy from teaching the art as performing the art.

Above all, Trey's love for the Lord was greater than any job he worked or hobby he enjoyed. This incredible love showed in everything he did. His calm demeanor and incredible sense of patience showed Jesus to all who came in contact with Trey. And of all the things he accomplished in life, that will be his greatest honor.

On April 29, 2014, Trey was presented the 2014 Courage Award from the Melanoma Research Foundation where he gave an outstanding acceptance speech for his and four other recipient's awards. The McFarlin family would like to especially thank Dr. Robert Breeze, Dr. Rene Gonzalez, the nursing staff at Anschutz Cancer Pavilion and the nurses and staff at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

A funeral service will be held on September 1 at 2:00 PM at Eastside Church of Christ of Colorado Springs, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery.