Sam Finley

On May 6, 2026, Jesus welcomed home one of His most faithful servants. Sam Finley, born November 17, 1936, lived 89 years with a steady devotion to his family, his faith, and the people God placed in his path. For 60 years, he was the devoted husband of Carolyn Parrott Finley, whom he met when they were music majors at Campbellsville College. Together they built a faith-filled home where their four children learned to love God, music, and the great outdoors.

Sam grew up in Hawesville, Kentucky, the middle son of seven boys — a childhood that shaped his faith, his work ethic, his humor, and his deep appreciation for music and family. He and his brothers were all musically gifted, playing stringed instruments and singing in multi-part harmony at every opportunity. In 1962, honoring a promise he had made to his late father, Sam brought his mother into his home. With four children and one bathroom, space was tight, but Sam didn’t hesitate. His mother remained with them for the rest of her life, sharing in the children’s upbringing and becoming a central part of their family. Keeping that promise was a blessing to them all.

Sam loved being outdoors and always felt close to God in the middle of His creation — the stillness of Kentucky Lake during his annual fishing trips, the rows of vegetables in his big garden, and especially the cabin property that became his sanctuary. He often took his children there to pick blackberries, hunt for ginseng, cook pork chops over an open fire, and learn from the woods around them. Evenings at the campfire were his favorite; the Bible, Jesus, and the people he loved most were always at the center of the conversation.

Sam was a friend and father figure to so many, especially those in his Sunday School class, which he taught faithfully for decades. A charter member of the “LaGrange Breakfast Club,” he enjoyed having his morning coffee with friends and sharing his unique perspective on life. If you ever met Sam, you never forgot him. His sense of humor and love of the Lord influenced everyone who knew him.

In his youth, Sam was an outstanding athlete. Later in life and after retiring as an installation foreman for ATT, he refereed high school basketball and carried his love of sports into his ministry. Through Sports Reach, an organization that uses athletics to share Christ, Sam traveled the world and led hundreds of people to Jesus. He believed deeply that every interaction was an opportunity to point someone toward Christ. His faith wasn’t something he practiced—it was something he breathed.

Sam is survived by his children Bambi (Don) Wright of LaGrange, KY; Melody Finley of Prospect, KY; Reggie (Susan) Finley of Carmel, IN; and Tonya (Mark) Kuiper of Louisville, KY; grandchildren Addison (Bailey) Futtrell, Jade Finley, and Tanner Finley; great-grandchildren Josiah and Lou Futtrell; brother Steve Finley of Louisville, KY; and many nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and strength. His life was a testament to what it means to serve God wholeheartedly, to love without reservation, and to keep your promises. Sam has prepared for this homecoming his entire life, and those who knew him will carry his stories, his lessons, and his unwavering belief in God’s goodness for the rest of theirs.

Visitation will be held from 10am-Noon on Saturday, May 16, at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, 706 W. Jefferson St, LaGrange, KY. Funeral to follow at 12:00pm. Memorials may be made to Sports Reach, P.O. Box 4002, Campbellsville, KY 42719, www.sportsreach.org/support.