Todd Ray McFarland, age 60, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the evening of March 6, 2020 after a long, hard battle with cancer. He was born on April 4, 1959 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Floyd R. McFarland and Eunice M. Shearer McFarland.
As a boy growing up in Salt Lake, surprisingly, Todd was always in charge of the activity. Whether it be harmless fun, night games or other shenanigans far away from the streetlight view but well within the wheelhouse of a boy growing up in the 60’s. He was honestly every bit of the natural born athlete and spent every minute he could playing outside and showing his talent. Whether it be playing baseball with his brother, football with his buddies or learning the great game of golf from his Grandpa, there wasn’t a sport off limits or un-winnable as he always picked the teams, chose the game, applied his competitive spirit and adjusted the rules accordingly. His love of the outdoors and adventure came from weekend road trips in the family car that were spearheaded by his Dad and intended to be for the day, but ended a week later and two states away with the family sleeping on a cousins living room floor.
Todd graduated an honor student, star athlete and proud Viking of East Carbon High School in 1977 before he went on to play football for the College of Eastern Utah Golden Eagles. This love of teamwork led to a 25-year career as a coach of youth sports. Starting with his brothers’ first team at just the age of 12, he went on to coach Little League, Babe Ruth, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball and Varsity Baseball while filling a case full of trophies and bringing home championships. Hundreds of kids turned adults still call him “Coach” and can recite a “colorful” and inspirational story of him yelling from the sidelines, building their skills and playing to win. We were a small town and a little school, but losing wasn’t an option, it was a last resort and he was building a winner mentality above all else. It’s safe to say, there were no participation trophies given.
He met the love of his life, Cheryl Tooley, his Junior year of High School in 1975. Made even cooler by the green 68’ Camaro she was driving at the time, it was love at first site. They spent that summer lining the window frames of that car with concert/movie tickets, eating DerRatskeller pizza and falling in complete love with each other. Married in 1977, they would go on to have three beautiful kids starting with Amanda in 1979, Austin in 1983 and Tony in 1984. He taught them all to love the outdoors, how to fix any problem with whatever is on hand, look for adventure whenever possible and to ride anything on wheels without fear. He was a one of a kind Dad and a one in a million husband. All in all, Todd and Cheryl spent 42 years building a marriage to be proud of. They worked hard, laughed whole heartedly, adventured together, faced life as a team and loved without end every, single day they could.
Preceded in death by his parents Floyd R. McFarland and Eunice M. Shearer McFarland, daughter Amanda McFarland and sisters Tara Ruane, Jana Johnson and Gema Riley. Survived by his loving wife Cheryl of East Carbon, Utah, brother Greg McFarland, daughter Austin (Chris) Cowan, son Tony (Amy) McFarland, grandsons TJ, Cameron, Christian, Arian and baby McFarland.
A special Celebration of Life ceremony for friends and family will be held in Todd’s honor Saturday, March 14, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at the Helper Civic Auditorium. Guests are welcome to visit with the family and enjoy a luncheon from 12:00-1:00 p.m., with services following at 1:00 p.m. Todd coached for 25 years throughout his life and left a big impression on the hearts of all that he influenced athletically. During this celebration of his life, we would like any person that called him “Coach” to please come spend time, share memories and help us pay tribute to this mountain of a man we were lucky to know and love. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome to share memories of Todd at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net