Patrick William Finnegan

Born January 14, 1945, in Peoria, Illinois, to George and Jeanne Finnegan, Patrick was the oldest of 4 children. The Finnegan children were influenced by sports, they loved both watching and playing various sports. This was also the start of his lifelong love of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both Patrick and Terry both played baseball throughout their childhoods. Patrick graduated from Richwoods Community High School in 1962.

Patrick’s good friend in high school, Ray Fink, talked him into applying to the United States Air Force Academy, a decision that would change his life. Patrick attended 1 year of prep school, and 4 years at the Academy before graduating in 1967. A week after graduation, his mother set him up on a blind date with Marilyn Decker and they were married 6 months later on December 23, 1967, while Patrick was in pilot training. They raised 3 children, Jeff, Lisa and Kris and traveled the world as Patrick was assigned to Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Guam, the Philippines and other bases. Unfortunately, Marilyn passed away in 1984, and Patrick continued his military career on his own. After a distinguished military career, Patrick retired from the Air Force in 1992 and continued his flying career with Southern Air Transport until 2004 when he retired from flying. During this time, he met and married Kathy Flemming in 2003 and they settled in Colorado in 2014 after Kathy retired.

Patrick loved to play golf, although golf didn’t love him. Those that played with him will have plenty of stories about Patrick. He supported all USAFA athletics and attended as many sporting events as he could. He was very proud of his East Club seats to watch AFA Falcons football. Faith and family were central to Patrick’s life. A devoted Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, he found joy in his church and also in serving Lions International, the KIWANIS and several organizations at the Air Force Academy.

Patrick is survived by his wife Kathy; children Jeffery, Lisa, Kristofer and step-daughter Jessica; daughter-in-law Dawn; grandchildren Patrick, Jackson, Madison, Charlie and Piper; great-grandsons Kristofer and Oliver; siblings Terry (Jan) and Kathy (Michael); niece Kelley; nephews Jason and Jared (Lisa); great nephew Elijah and great nieces Caitlin and Madi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jeanne; his wife Marilyn; sister Mary Ann; brother-in law Fibber; and nephews Brian and Eric.

A Rosary will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church 55 Jefferson Street in Monument on November 13th at 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment with full military honors at 12:30 pm at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates at https://bit.ly/4oqrCgF.