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NATCHEZ — Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson surprised Duncan McFarlane with a key to the city on Thursday afternoon.

McFarlane, a stalwart supporter of Habitat for Humanity since it began in Natchez, is leaving for Wilmington, North Carolina, where his youngest son, Meade, 53, lives.

“My wife died in January and I have too many memories in this house and it’s too big. I just want to move one more time,” said McFarlane, 81. “I have a son there to care for me when I need that.”

McFarlane is renting an apartment in Wilmington near his son, a high school science teacher and soccer coach.

McFarlane was born and raised in Natchez. He left after college to begin a career as a bank examiner for the federal government. He returned in 2001, 40 years later, when he retired.

“I moved here in 2001 and I think I went to my first Habitat meeting in 2002 and they put me on the board at the first meeting I went to,” he said. “I have been secretary for those 22 years and also treasurer for 10 years.”

McFarlane became interested in Habitat for Humanity when he lived in Atlanta, where it is headquartered.

“My dad was a homebuilder,” he said. “Jimmy Carter put Habitat on the map. When I moved back to Natchez I reached out to the headquarters to see if we had a chapter here. They were so eager for volunteers.

“During my time with Habitat here, I worked on 19 houses,” McFarlane said. “The affiliate sold our 25th house back in the summer. We are currently ready to build another one if we can find a decent lot and a family.”

In presenting the key to the city on Thursday, Gibson said, “You have had such an impact on Natchez. You have left your mark on our city. Our community will be forever grateful for your service. You are truly a difference maker.”

McFarland said he truly enjoyed his work with Habitat here.

“I looked forward every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for 20 years to get up regardless of the weather to go out there to go out there and build houses. I truly enjoyed it,” McFarlane said.

“I will probably get involved with Habitat in Wilmington, but maybe not in the construction end. Maybe I’ll do an office job for them. I love that program and know what it does for lower income families. I can’t walk away from it just yet,” McFarlane said.

He was also on the board of the Armstrong Library in Natchez and served as chairman for the last five, as well as the former United Way board.

“I have another son, Bryan, my oldest, who is 56 and lives in Tulsa. I am going to visit them for Thanksgiving,” he said. “I will be moving in about two weeks, the Monday after Thanksgiving.”