In Memory...

An odd thing happened last week. My Uncle Malcolm (uncle by marriage) posted a bulletin on myspace.com through his nephew's site. It was a plead. Apparently, Sam had been missing for 72 hours and his family didn't know of his where abouts. Knowing Sam is an avid cyclist, hiker and photographer I figured that he must be out doing just that. So I said a little prayer. Today I wondered, hum, I wonder how Sam is, if anyone has found out where he had been. Unfortunately, Sam McFarlane was found, just not in the condition that his family was praying for. Wednesday, September 19th, Sam McFarlane (my cousin by marriage) was found dead in a ravine in New Mexico. This is extremely tragic. And I will forever remember the time that I was able to hang with and get to know him while visiting my aunt and uncle a few years ago in Santa Fe.


Below is his obituary as printed in the Albuquerque Journal:
Obituary for MCFARLANE
Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Monday September 24, 2007
Samuel Sanders McFarlane, 27, a resident of Albuquerque and graduate student at UNM in Photography and an avid cyclist, went home with Jesus on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. He is survived by his parents, Graham and Lee McFarlane of Dallas; brothers, Joshua Jemison McFarlane and wife, Emma of Memphis, TN and Benjamin Williams McFarlane and wife, Jill of Kalispell, MT; nieces, Violet Kathleen McFarlane, Eve Leeann McFarlane; nephew, Josiah Benjamin McFarlane; grandparents, Eva and Bill Jemison, Jr. of Memphis, TN; aunts and uncles, Gay and Mike Rhodes, Julie and Bill Jemison III, Jan and Roger Possner, Bonnie Rivers, Cheryl and Don Bartlett, Carla and Raymond Roy, and Megan and Malcom McFarlane; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frances and John McFarlane of Atlanta, GA. We grieve at the loss of our beautiful Samuel, but we are assured he is in the arms of Jesus having passed over the Crystal River and upward into the Celestial City. He was such a light. He loved beauty, the mountains, his brothers, his friends. He was a gentle soul who portrayed creative majesty and love in the brilliant way of photography. He was so gifted but too tender for this world. We picture him dancing with Jesus, never more alive, never more home, never more happy. He would want to tell you to never give up hope, life is fragile, life is precious, and there is always joy in the morning. He was a precious son whose name Samuel means, "Heard of God." Truly God has heard our prayers for Samuel and we who live with the joy and expectant hope of saving faith in Jesus Christ our Lord are looking forward to being with Samuel again in the City of God. Services will be held on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at French Mortuary - Lomas Blvd. NE, 10500 Lomas NE. The family would love to see and welcome as many members of his University of New Mexico community as can attend. Interment in the mountains is expected to follow. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 505.275.3500 www.frenchmortuary.com

If you are interested in viewing some of Sam's photography please stop by his website at www.sammcfarlane.com.

Please pray for peace and healing for the McFarlane family during this hard time.