This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Mike Lambert, CAPT
to remember
McFarland, James (Jim), RADM.
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Contact Info
Last Address Portland
Date of Passing Feb 01, 2003
Location of Interment *Cremated - Local, Maryland
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Rear Admiral James Stephen McFarland passed away February 1, 2003 at his Annapolis, Maryland home. He died of pancreatic cancer.
James Stephen McFarland was born in Portland, Oregon on August 31, 1935.
He graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1957. He joined the Navy while at the College, and after graduation attended the Armed Forces Staff College and the Harvard School of Government. Admiral McFarland retired from the Navy as a two-star admiral in 1992. He served in St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Spain, Vietnam, the Middle East, Japan, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington DC, on the USS Belmont (AGTR-4) and other locales. From 1986 - 1990 he was Commander of the Naval Security Group and Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence. He was the recipent of numerous awards and medals.
After retiring from the Navy, he lived in Maryland and was vice president for business operations in government, education, and health at Oracle Corporation. He was an avid trout fisher and sports fan. He loved the Washington Redskins.
He married Elsie Jean Baker in 1957, and they had three children, Scott, Brett, Suzanne. The marriage ended in divorce. 1978, he married Paula Wiise. They raised three children of their own Jeffrey, Matthew, and Kelly. He is survived by Paula, six children, and three grandchildren.
Admiral McFarland was a kind and generous man who is missed and remembered with fond memories.
Enjoying the love of his wife Paula and their children: Scott King (Son) 1958 Brett Allen (Son) 1960 Suzanne Elizabeth (Daughter) 1965 Kelly Paige Drennon (Stepdaughter) 1975 Matthew Kyle (Son) 1980 Jeffrey Stephen (Son) 1981
Other Comments:
Rear Admiral J.S. McFarland is probably best known for never forgetting a Sailor. He had an uncanny ability to remember everyone he met. Ask any CT, CPO or 161X/644X/ 744X who knew him and you'll hear a story about a man who genuinely loved his cryptologic community and every member of it.
Vietnam War/Tet Counteroffensive Campaign (68)
From Month/Year
January / 1968
To Month/Year
April / 1968
Description Not Specified
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1968
To Month/Year
April / 1968
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2023
Personal Memories
Memories Bronze Star with "V" Advisor to the Vietnamese