Gene Moreau Finger

GENE MOREAU FINGER, 83, passed away March 19th after a prolonged illness. A graduate of Messick High School, Gene became an apprentice machinist with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and remained with that company for the next 40 years, retiring as engineering manager. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and during the Korean War served as a staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Okinawa. Gene was a mechanical genius who could design, build, and repair anything and everything. When he decided their home needed a den, bedroom, and back porch, he drew up the plans and built the addition himself. No cars or appliances ever saw a repairman while he was able to work on them. One summer he helped his oldest son completely restore a 1971 Datsun 240Z in the back yard. And if he didn’t have the right tools, he made those too. His hobbies over the years included Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles, model railroads, boating, fishing, and photography. He especially enjoyed annual road trips to Florida, Gatlinburg, or New England with his family. Gene was predeceased by his parents, Cullen and Alma Finger, and his younger brother Jere Finger, all of Grand Junction, Tn. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Finger of Memphis, brother Jimmy (Judy) Finger of Hickory With, sons Michael C. (Sherri) Finger of Memphis and John A. (Tina) Finger of Hernando, grandsons Michael A. Finger and Brian A. (Kristin) Finger of Memphis, granddaughters Brooke Fly and Ashley Fly of Oxford, great-granddaughters Morgan, Addison, and Avery, and his much-loved black labs, Luke and Fife. Graveside service will be Tuesday, March 26, 1:30 PM at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. Dennis Neenan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Collierville Animal Shelter or any charity the donor prefers.