Joe L. Finch

Joe Finch of Georgetown, Texas, was called to his reward on December 19, 2008, age 83 years, 7 months and 21 days, after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, December 22, 2008 at the Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown. Dr. John Duncan will officiate at the funeral service at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in the funeral home. Joe was born in Liberty, Indiana to Frank and Grace Finch. He grew up with two brothers, Earl and Darrell. He told fond stories of their childhood in Liberty. Joe graduated from Short High School in 1943. Not far away is the town of Connersville, Indiana, where he met the love of his life, Emma Jane. Joe and Jane were married in August of 1946. They were married 62 years. Joe joined the U.S. Army right out of high school. He served in the European Theater of World War II. The events of this war made a profound impact on Joe. His love for his comrades in the 2nd Infantry Indianhead Division and the losses he witnessed at Normandy were forever in his heart and mind. When the troops came home, Joe married his sweetheart and began studies at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joe was a member of The Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated from Butler in 1949 with a B.S. in Accounting, and subsequently earned his CPA. He received his MBA at North Texas State University in 1972. His career with the U.S. Treasury Department began in the mail room in 1945, and rose quickly. His knowledge and skills in accounting provided promotions, opportunities for service to his country, and an eventual move to Texas. He received numerous awards for his contribution to public service, and for the effective and efficient operation of the Treasury Department. The most distinguished of these came in 1964, when he was presented the National Award for Excellent Achievement by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The crowning jewels for Joe were his family and faith, with his love for the game of golf not far behind. Joe is survived by his wife Jane, his two daughters, Linda and Denice, his granddaughter Sherry, her husband Scott and three great grandchildren, Jenna, Jace, and Joshua. All live close to Georgetown and were fortunate to have many sweet times together. All are also believers in Christ as Savior, so the sweet times will continue in eternity. Joe and Jane are members of First Baptist Church Georgetown. The friends from church were faithful prayer warriors during Joe’s illness, and continue to provide hope and encouragement in these moments of loss and sorrow. God is good. Joe was much like his father. As this piece is written, the following was found in a newspaper memoir about his Dad, Frank Finch, who died when Joe was five years old. It reads …“he was a quiet law-abiding man who loved his home and its surroundings. Neighbors and friends ever found him the same, always ready and willing to help promote a cause that was for the up building of his community. As a father, he was kind, loving and patient and no sacrifice was too great if he thought it would add to their welfare.” Those who know Joe Finch know that he loved you deep from the heart. His quiet manner spoke of his respect for you; his willingness to help was for your good and God’s glory. His life will always be remembered as one who cared, one who worked, and one who hoped and prayed for the good of others. The family would like to thank Dr. Terry Chambless, Dr. Darren Kocs, Jolie, Stephanie and the caring staff at Texas Oncology Round Rock, and Dr. William Stassen for their loving care of Joe. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org or The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, www.lustgarten.org.