Loren McFarland

SCOTTSDALE – Loren Hamilton McFarland Jr.

85, known as both “Mac” because of his Scottish heritage and as “the Bud Man” due to his 30-year association with Anheuser-Busch, Inc., passed away

April 30, 2018. He suffered more than a decade with

Parkinson’s disease. A 39-year resident of Scottsdale, he is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years

(June 20), Lois McFarland; five sons, Casa Grande

Mayor Craig McFarland (Nancy); Lyle McFarland of Fresno, CA; Glen McFarland (Debbie) of Clovis,

CA; Keith McFarland (Sharon) of Clovis and Todd

McFarland (Deanna) of Louisville, KY; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His family and friends are hopeful he’s being reunited with his parents, Mabel and Loren H. McFarland, Sr.; his sister, Martha-Jane Weston and at the same time raising a glass of “Bud” with longtime friends Buck, Ed, the four Bobs, George, and so many more. His motto was “making friends is our business.” He was born October 21, 1932 in Stockton, CA in the midst of the Great Depression when even a gainfully employed father had to pinch pennies. His father’s sales position with Best Foods soon took the family to Fresno. And, when World War II was declared in December 1941, his father joined the Army and moved the family to his duty station in Long Beach. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt died April 12, 1945, Loren stood in the middle of Telegraph and Pacific avenues calling out - “Read All about It”- in a special edition of the Long Beach Press Telegram. He was all of 12 years old. Back in Fresno after the war, Mac, resumed his education and friendships. At Fresno High School, he played Varsity Baseball and Junior Varsity Football. He enjoyed acting and played a leading role in the senior class play, Dear Ruth. He also had parts in Stage Door, Gloria and Fly Away Home. In the fall of 1950, age 17, he started college at California State University Fresno. He was a handsome, impeccably dressed young man who turned the heads of campus coeds. In a political science class, he met the girl who was to become his lifelong companion. When the professor caught the pair talking in class, he embarrassed Lois by announcing “Miss Lusk immediately move across the room and no talking or else.” Thus began a college romance and marriage three years later June 20, 1953. In college, Loren developed his leadership skills serving as the Men’s Legislative Commissioner, as an officer in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, as advertising manager of the college newspaper, The Collegian, and because he was so well liked by students, elected CSUF Campus King. Following graduation in June of 1954, he reported for duty in Newport, R.I., where he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. While he was in Newport, Lois was in Fresno giving birth to their first son, Craig. Six weeks later the family of three drove from Fresno to Washington, D.C. where Ensign McFarland underwent training at the Pentagon for duty in the Naval Security Group. His assignment was to CINCPACFLEET headquarters on Oahu. There he worked underground the next 22 months with military groups responsible for coordinating defense activities of the entire Pacific area. After completing active duty in August 1956, Loren, Lois and two sons, Craig and Lyle (born in Hawaii) returned to Fresno where he went into business with his father who operated 23 super markets in the San Joaquin Valley. In 1963, he left the grocery business to join the Anheuser-Busch, Inc. National Sales team, thus beginning a 30-year career with the world’s largest brewer. In the spring of 1979, after 14 years in A-B field management positions including three years heading up the company’s management development department in St. Louis, MO., Loren was promoted to Division Manager for Arizona, Nevada and Utah. He opened the company’s division office in downtown Scottsdale and began getting acquainted with Arizona. In that regard, he became active in volunteer organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale serving on the board of directors 10 years; actively supporting the Arizona Muscular Dystrophy Association in their fund-raising efforts and the Scottsdale McCormick Kiwanis Club, where he served three times as president during his 35 years as a member. As a charter member of Mountain View Presbyterian Church, he was an Elder and lay reader, serving as budget and finance chair and president of the corporation. During the years his five sons were growing-up he was a Boy Scout leader and somehow managed to coach winning soccer teams and Little League baseball, time swim meets, take the boys on High Sierra fishing trips and spend holidays snow skiing. He was a lifelong outdoorsman, who loved fishing, golf, tennis and gardening. He also liked cooking and made what his family recalls as “the best beer biscuits,” and produced an award winning “Chili Wow” recipe that required a cold beverage when consumed. Known by family and friends as a very caring person, “a true gentleman, professional and mentor,” his wish is to be remembered for “keeping a fair attitude about life.” Regarding friendship, he said, “Real friends possess an inner strength, a vision to see the importance of others, to be humble and always ready to help the less fortunate.” A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26 at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8050 E. Mountain View Rd., Scottsdale. Donations suggested to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, 10533 E. Lakeview Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85258.