Garnet R. “Rees” McFarlane
Garnet R. “Rees” McFarlane was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 20, 1936 to Garnet R. “Mac” McFarlane and Thelma Louise (nee Barnes) McFarlane. He passed away on January 24, 2020 at Harbor Hospice in Houston, Texas at the age of 83.
In 1950, his family moved to Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, where he graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in January of 1954. In his Senior year he was selected to the first team, all class, All-State football team. He was one of eleven players on the “Dream Team”. He was recruited by Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Indiana Universities and chose to play football at the University of Michigan.
Following college, he served honorably in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and served on active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Rees worked for twenty-two years with Standard Register Company in the Detroit District Office; first as a systems analyst, then as a major account representative primarily dealing with the banking industry.
In 1982 he was again recruited, this time by Willamette Industries (now part of Weyerhauser) to open and manage the Detroit market, which included Michigan and parts of Ohio and Indiana. His District became the largest and most profitable in the Midwest. He retired to Savannah, Georgia in March 1997 and moved to Clear Lake, Texas in 2002.
Rees was a life-long golfer, starting at the age of twelve, and he played at many famous courses including St. Andrew’s, Pebble Beach, Oakland Hills and many courses on the PGA and Senior PGA tours. He was a Patron at the Master’s two times. He was a member of the Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, MI, The Landings Club in Savannah, GA, and Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX. Rees was also a member of the Economic Club of Detroit and The Detroit Institute of Arts.
Rees also coached youth football and baseball for several years, including being the All-Star manager of the Grosse Pointe Farms Little League team that came close to going to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the 1979 Little League World Series.
Rees was preceded in death by his parents; a younger brother, Peter Jon McFarlane; and a younger sister, Merry Lou (McFarlane) Murrell. He is survived by his wife, best friend and golf partner of 60 years, Edna C. (Skobo) McFarlane; three wonderful children who are all graduates of the University of Michigan: Michelle L. (Scott) MacGriff of Darnestown, MD, Dr. Elisabeth A. McFarlane of Tucson, AZ, and Michael R. (Shannan) McFarlane of Clear Lake, TX; five outstanding grandchildren: Dr. Christopher (Devin) MacGriff, Spencer (Emily) MacGriff, Navy Pilot Chelsea (Pierce) Chilton, Hannah McFarlane, and Rebecca McFarlane; one great grandchild: Blase MacGriff; and a younger brother, James Delbert McFarlane of Garden City, MI.
A Memorial Service will be held at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church (1511 El Dorado Boulevard, Houston, TX 77062) on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions could be sent to the University of Michigan Athletic Department (https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/ath/ath) or to Clear Lake Presbyterian Church.
Though I’d never met Mr. McFarlane, his obituary is altogether uplifting. What a successful person was he having accomplished so much in his 83 years with us! But for me, his legacy is his son Michael who I have known for many years. Son Mike’s life is an example of what a fine father he had. God’s speed Mr. McFarlane. Thank you for all you have done for our nation. Your life lives on not only in Heaven but here on earth through your children and grand children. Jerry Woodfill
To Edna, Mike, Shannan, Hannah and Rebecca,
My heart breaks with yours at the loss of your beloved Rees. So many years Lee and I sat in front of the two of you, Edna. Always a kind word came from him. Such fond memories. Rees was obviously a tour de force in his professional life. I know he was proud of his family and loved them fiercely.
Many blessings to all of you during this sad time. May God uphold you with his mighty right hand, and give you peace.
So very sorry to hear of Mr. McFarlane’s passing. In 1980 at the University of Michigan, I met his daughter Lisa (Elisabeth) who lived down the hall from me in West Quad. We went to a football game together, and that’s where I attended my first tailgate party, hosted by Rees and Edna McFarlane. What a fine time that was and how welcome I felt! I remember watching Lisa throw a football farther than I thought possible. Lisa and I continued to be great friends throughout our years at the University of Michigan, and we continue to be life-long friends to this day. Mrs. McFarlane – I hope you find comfort during this difficult time, and I send you and your family my sincerest condolences.
There are some people whose life intersects with yours for only a very brief time but whose memory can last a lifetime. In my case my memory of Reese lasted over 60 years. We met at Lackland AF base in San Antonio in the summer of 1959, both of as part of a “critical skill” squadron. We shared a bunk and a number of often humorous episodes, fun being very rare in the sweltering summer. We spent many of our infrequent free times together, and his friendship did much to make our dismal military life bearable. In September we shook hands, said our goodbyes, and returned to our homes, never to meet or speak again. When I finally decided to google him and learned of his passing it was as if I had lost a lifelong friend. I carry the guilt of being too late.