Finley Eugene (Gene) McFarlane

Finley Eugene (Gene) McFarlane, 77, passed away suddenly at Holston Valley Hospital on March 15, 2018. Born in Marion, VA, Gene was a lifelong resident of Kingsport, TN. He received a B.A in Chemistry in 1963, graduating Cum Laude, from King University in Bristol, TN. In 1967 he received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Gene was a loving, devoted husband, a wonderful father to his two daughters, a doting grandfather to Dylan, Kate, and Parker. He enjoyed traveling with his lifelong friends the Clarks, Lowes, and Andrews families. He was a caring, considerate neighbor and was serving as President of the Copperfield homeowners association.
He worked at Eastman Chemical Company from October of 1967 to January of 1998. While working in multiple areas at Eastman, Gene published numerous papers and held patents on polyesters, catalysts, and PET for bottles. He also worked at Merrill Lynch from 1999-2013 as a senior financial advisor. Following his retirement, Gene enjoyed golf and was a great fan of the University of Tennessee football and North Carolina basketball programs. Each year he enjoyed a special trip to the beach with his family and loved attending any events where the family was involved.
He joined Bethany Presbyterian Church in 1968 and served as an elder, chairman of the building committee, and the pastoral search committee. Gene recently joined First Baptist Church in Kingsport where his Sunday school class and church fellowship brought him great joy. He served on the Board of Directors for King College and delivered Meals on Wheels. Gene's life-long commitment to helping others continues with his donation of tissue for those in need.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alpha Miranda, five brothers, and two sisters.
Left to honor his memory are his wife of 53 years, Virginia Lucille McFarlane; his two daughters, Sonya (Joe) McMakin, and their children, Dylan and Kate, and Julie (Coy) Hamm and their son, Parker Hamm; two sisters Dorothy Eller, Roanoke, VA and Nora McFarlane, Myrtle Beach, SC; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The family will be receiving friends on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 2-4pm at First Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 4 pm with the Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating.
The graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 19th at East Lawn Memorial Park with Dr. Greg Burton officiating.
Instead of flowers, the family requests all donations to King University, Class of 1963 scholarship fund, King University, Attn: Advancement office, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620.

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