John Walter McFarlane 

October 20, 1944 ~ September 8, 2024 

John Walter McFarlane also known as ‘Johnny Mac’ transitioned peacefully at home the morning of Sunday, September 8, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents Strick and John Walter McFarlane IV and his brother Glen McFarlane. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Freda, his sister Mary Payne, a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He and Freda decided not to have children of their own. Instead, they have focused over the years on establishing deep connections with friends who have become their family including Sarah Gillespie, Cattalen Pelard and Courtney Delnoce (deceased), their chosen daughters.

Johnny was born in Jessup, Georgia and grew up in Macon. He graduated from Lanier High School, attended Andrew College, and the University of Georgia where he studied psychology. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war where he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He traveled extensively across Europe giving him the joy of wanderlust that continued throughout his life. After his military service, he moved to Key West and then Athens. While in Athens, he was the first full time employee at the Athens Botanical Garden and met Freda while enjoying their shared passion for live music.

After a tornado destroyed their home in Athens, they moved to Rabun County in 1976. Upon moving to the mountains, they became involved with the horse community, wagon trains, and local film productions. Johnny worked in construction, was a snow maker at Sky Valley in its heyday and in 1983 started Clayton Photo with Freda his partner in life and business. They purchased their own property close to the Chattooga River in 1981 and over the years have created their own natural paradise.

He and Freda retired in 2004 and spent several years honoring their passion of travel spending time in Nosara, Costa Rica, taking Spanish lessons and walking Johnny’s favorite beach. They spent a month in Thailand helping support victims of the Tsunami in 2005 and then returned to Thailand to spend a month scuba diving. Johnny fell in love with Thai Ridgeback dogs during their trip and adopted Johnny’s favorite dog Tao who was his companion for 15 years.

Johnny was an avid reader, enjoyed cruising the mountain roads on his Harley Davidson, floating down the Chattooga River with friends, listening to music of all varieties and especially spending time on his tractor and tending to all of his fur babies at home working the land.

We will have a celebration of Johnny Mac’s life and his 80th birthday on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at their beloved home. To attend, please RSVP using the following link: http://evite.me/dpzsW3kDXu

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to one of Johnny's favorite charities including: FAITH, the Chattooga Conservancy and Paws for Life.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of John Walter McFarlane. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.