Russell "Kay" Mcfarland

Russell “Kay” McFarland passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Kay McFarland was a local athlete who represented Englewood High School, Colorado State University and eventually the San Francisco 49ers. At Englewood High School he became one of the state’s best athletes and gained every all-star team recognition possible in football and basketball, including All-American status. He won state titles in the long jump and as a member of the 880-yard relay team while representing the Englewood Pirates.  Kay was the Denver Post Golden Helmet Award recipient in 1956 when it was still a Bronze Shoe.

At Colorado State University, Kay went on to be a three-sport letter winner for the Rams in basketball, football, and track.  He was also awarded the Nye Award his senior year (an award given to CSU’s outstanding male athlete).  Kay’s focus was basketball, and he was an integral part of CSU's conference championship team in 1961 under the direction of his much beloved coach, Jim Williams.  Kay also held the long jump record at CSU in 1959 jumping 23 feet 8-7/8”.  Interestingly, Kay did not play football at Colorado State University until his senior year but thanks to his competitive drive and athletic prowess he received the attention of the San Francisco 49ers before ever donning pads for the Rams. Kay hadn’t played a game of football at CSU, when the 49ers drafted him in the 18th round in 1961, his senior year.  The draft selection prompted Kay to stay at CSU for one more quarter in the fall of 1962 to pick up needed credits to graduate and play football for the 49ers.  Kay was CSU’s first (and perhaps only) athlete drafted to the NFL before ever playing a single down for a college team and likely one of a few in all professional sports.  He retired after a seven-year career in the pros, all with the 49ers.  In 1992 Kay was inducted into the Colorado State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Although Kay was born in Quincy, Illinois to Edith Bell and Russell Douglas McFarland, he was essentially a proud Colorado native since moving to the state at the age of two.  He lived and worked in Colorado his entire life.  Kay married his Englewood High School sweetheart, Patricia (Mooney) McFarland, and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary a few months before he passed.  After retiring from the NFL, among other career accomplishments, Kay built and acted as CEO of a regional dental insurance provider for 16 years.

Kay had passion for many things in life, but none rivaled the love he had for his family. He was preceded in death by his eldest son Daniel McFarland and is survived by wife Patricia, his daughter-in-law Jeri McFarland, son Randall McFarland, daughter Shawna Tickle, and four grandchildren:  Danny McFarland Jr., Jack Tickle, Madison McFarland, and Sophia McFarland.

Kay was a grand man, truly one of the last “real gentlemen”.  He was loved immensely and will be forever missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hudson Gardens on Tuesday, June 14th, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Porter Hospice Foundation in his memory:  Donate | Porter Hospice Foundation https://www.rmahf.org/hospice.html