James "Les" MacFarlane

James “Les” MacFarlane passed away on September 5, 2016, losing his battle with cancer while on vacation in Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born in Payson, Utah March 7, 1940 to James Lightner and Lucy Marie (Robertson) MacFarlane. Les graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. He went on to work as a heavy equipment operator and field surveyor until he Joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and served in the U.S. and east Africa from 1963 to 1965. After his discharge, he attended the University of Nevada School Of Engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. He went into the consulting engineering and land surveying business until his retirement in 2002. He also served in many professional organizations including four years on the executive committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies and was the national chairman 1994-1995. He has received many prestigious awards for his contributions to his profession. Along with his professional life, Les also enjoyed spending his spare time as an avid pilot, flight instructor, navigator, sailor, fisherman and hunter. He loved the sky, the sea and the great outdoors, and accumulated many happy memories from his experiences with family members and friends. When Les retired several years ago he and his wife Cheryl moved permanently to Calhoun, Georgia where she was born to Joe and Edna Hopper, to reside among family and friends during their retirement years but they still maintained close relationships they had cultivated over the years with people and places out west. He was preceded in death, by his parents, his Brother Jack and his son James Nevin “Jimmy”. He is survived by his loving wife Cheryl of Calhoun, daughters Leslie (Dale) of Bakersfield, California, Dr. Rena MacFarlane (Andrew) of Perth, Australia, step-daughter, Sonya (Mike) of Las Vegas, Nevada; step-son Jason Hunt of Reno, Nevada as well as grandsons Forrest (Sami), Tristan, Logan, Nik, James and granddaughter Kylee; his sister Pam (John) of Parawan, Utah and foster sisters Sharon Denison of Pahrump, Nevada and Phyllis Lloyd of Montana. At his request there will be no services. He will be buried in Utah at unspecified date. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity in his name. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com This is a courtesy announcement by Thomas Funeral Home for the family of James “Les” MacFarlane.