Stephen Edward McFarland

Stephen Edward McFarland (Steve or Mac to his many friends) made his way to the Lord on March 22, 2007. After a long and bravely fought battle with renal cell cancer, Steve quietly passed away at home in Moses Lake while surrounded by his close friends and family.

Steve was born July 7, 1957, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Anna Marie (Desilet) and William D. McFarland. A happy and playful student, he attended St. Thomas Grade School and Coeur d'Alene High School graduating in 1975. Steve graduated from the University of Idaho in 1981 and continued to be a loyal Vandal supporter.

On June 27, 1987, he married the love of his life, Tamara Shimp, at Saint Augustine's Catholic Church in Moscow, Idaho. Beautiful testaments to their marriage, Stephanie Elizabeth McFarland was born in 1990 and Johnathan Evan McFarland was born in 1993. To say that Steve adored his children would be an understatement. There are not words to describe Steve's deep and unfaltering love for Stephanie and Evan.

Steve worked the majority of his life in the hospitality industry. However, his winning and outgoing temperament allowed him to pursue many roles. Steve worked for Western Frontiers from 1972 until the time it was sold to Hagadone Hospitality in 1983. He continued working with Hagadone Hospitality until 1984. At that time, he became the assistant general manager of the Grand Junction Hilton in Grand Junction, Colo. In 1986, he returned to Moscow, Idaho, and Hagadone Hospitality to work at the University Inn as the assistant general manager. In 1995, the family moved to Moses Lake, where Steve worked as the General Manager of The Hallmark Inn. Additionally, Steve taught a business class at Big Bend Community College from 2001 to 2004. Finally, in 2004, Steve returned to the Hagadone team, working as the Columbia Basin Market manager and sales representative for Hagadone Directories.

Steve believed in being a servant to his community. In fact, he relished in it. While residing in Moscow, he was a member of the Elk's Club and Moscow Executives. Additionally, he was a member of the Latah County Vandal Booster's Club acting as their treasurer for three years. He was awarded the Past President's Award for his service to the organization. Moving to Moses Lake, Steve fell in love with the service nature of the community. Consequently, he dedicated himself to it. He was a member of the Rotary Club from 1996 until 2006. During that time, he was co-chair of the Long Range Planning Committee that developed a handicapped accessible playground at McCosh Park as a part of the Rotary Internationals 100th Anniversary and the Strategic Planning Committee. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Moses Lake Rotary Merit award for his service. Additionally, Steve served on the Moses Lake Tourism Board from 2000-2004. His service found no bounds; from 1995-2005 he was a member and board member of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Steve was president of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce from 2001-2002. Always acting and always serving, Steve worked on many Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce committees. These committees include the Golf Committee, Auction Committee, FFA/4-H Family Farm Breakfast, and as a Response Team member. An advocate for the Moses Lake School District, Steve worked as a Citizen for Progress in Education and many other school related committees. Additionally, during his first year in Moses Lake, he helped design the Champagne Gala for the Moses Lake Business Association.

Always dedicated to his children's interests, Steve served on the Moses Lake Manta Rays' board of directors from 2000-2004. Steve's proudest and most joy-filled days were dedicated to his family. Steve acted as an assistant coach for Stephanie's soccer team and as Evan's Grid-Kids football coach for several years. If he was on the field, you were sure to hear his thundering voice. Loving the sport of swimming and the role it played in his children's lives, Steve volunteered as a U.S.S. swimming official for the last six years of his life. He was recognized by the Moses Lake Manta Rays as Most Outstanding Parent for 2006.

Steve is survived by his wife, Tammy; daughter, Stephanie; son, Evan; sister, Kathy Dobner; and brothers, Tom and Chris McFarland. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Marie McFarland in 1973; brother, John in 1995; brother, Bill in 1998; brother, Jim in 2006; and his father, William D. McFarland in 2007.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 North Dale Road in Moses Lake. Following the service, the family will greet friends at the Moses Lake Country Club, 1181 Road F-2 N.E. in Moses Lake. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.

Deeply grateful to the community that he loved so much, Steve wanted Tammy to work toward the establishment of a radiation treatment center for the citizens of Moses Lake and the surrounding areas. Therefore, the family prefers that memorials be made to the Moses Lake Radiation Treatment Center at Sterling Savings Bank located at 101 E, 4th Avenue, Moses Lake, Wash., 98837.

With sincere gratitude, the family wishes to thank the amazing community that has been so supportive of them during Steve's fight with cancer. Deep notes of gratitude go to Dr. Richard Hourigan, Mark Bassett and Columbia Basin Hospice, Donna Warner, The Moses Lake Cancer Foundation, and Sharon and Tim Villarreal.