Don Lee Finch

Born on April 3, 1955, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Don was the son of Marvin Lee Finch and Renda Belle Gray Finch, both of whom preceded him in death.

Don is survived by his beloved Basset Hound, Clover; his brother, Randy Finch (Janie) of Sharpsburg, GA; nephews Eric Finch (Anita) of Silver Spring, MD, and their children, Natalie and Sidney; Rhett Finch (Daphne) of Studio City, CA, and their son, Holden; his aunt, Martha Arnold of Carrollton, GA; cousins Julie Lindsey of Carrollton, GA, and Andrea Barber (Mark) and their daughter, Laila; and his former wife and lifelong friend, Denise White Brooks.

Don attended Beecher Hills Elementary School in Atlanta and graduated from Westwood High School in South Fulton County in 1973. He continued his education at Mercer University, DeKalb Community College, where he earned an Associate’s Degree, and Georgia State University while pursuing a degree in education. After completing his student teaching experience, he realized that the classroom was not where his true calling lay.

Don moved to Tallahassee, FL, where he worked for his aunt Martha Arnold as a management trainee with his cousin Julie Lindsey at Textile Enterprises, a rope manufacturing company in Quincy, FL. He married Denise White in October 1980, and she then joined him in Tallahassee. After a few years, Don and Denise decided to return home to Atlanta, where he worked for Meisel Photochrome, combining his employment with his lifelong love of photography.

Seeking a career that better reflected his passion for nature and the outdoors, Don entered the landscape industry, a decision that would define the remainder of his professional life. After gaining experience with several prominent landscape companies, Don and Denise founded Natural Landscapes, Inc. in 1985. Although economic challenges from severe drought conditions affected the business, Don’s expertise and reputation continued to grow throughout the industry.

Don later joined TruGreen ChemLawn as a tree and shrub specialist and eventually advanced to branch manager with Lesco, Inc., a leading supplier of landscape and irrigation products. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Don continued his career with John Deere Landscapes and later SiteOne Landscape Supply. At SiteOne, he became the regional authority on fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides, serving as a trusted resource for sales teams and customers throughout the Southeast. Known for his outgoing personality, exceptional customer service, and deep technical knowledge, Don earned the respect and affection of colleagues and clients alike. He regularly exchanged ideas and best practices with Walter Reeves, Georgia’s renowned gardening expert. Don deeply loved his work and the people he worked alongside, but declining health eventually forced his retirement when kidney disease required regular dialysis treatments.

A devout Protestant Christian, Don’s faith remained an important part of his life. Though health challenges prevented him from attending church in his later years, his belief and trust in God remained steadfast.

Outside of work, Don embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity. As a young man, he rarely went anywhere without his 35mm camera, capturing the world through his lens. He loved the outdoors, especially camping, hiking, and spending time at Callaway Gardens. During his college years, he and Denise organized group ski trips to Vail, CO, and Wolf Laurel, NC, creating memories that would be cherished for decades.

Don also treasured the friendships he formed during his youth, particularly with Greg Hulsey, Mike Wright, Dusty Gilliam, Larry Jackson, and Denise White. Don and Denise were married in October 1980. Though they amicably divorced after thirteen years of marriage, they remained friends and supporters of one another for the rest of their lives.

In later years, Don developed a passion for technology. He enjoyed troubleshooting computers, networking systems, cell phones, and exploring the internet to expand his understanding of technology and the world around him. His curiosity and eagerness to learn never faded.

Perhaps nothing brought Don more comfort and companionship than his beloved Basset Hounds. Throughout his adult life, these loyal companions were a constant source of joy. In his final years, Don and Clover cared for one another through difficult times, sharing a bond that brought comfort, companionship, and unconditional love.

A graveside service was held at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta on July 25, 2026.

Don will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, knowledge, perseverance, and genuine love for people, animals, nature, and learning. He leaves behind a legacy of friendship, kindness, and professional excellence that touched countless lives.

Memorial donations may be made to Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia, Inc., P.O. Box 1834, Fayetteville, GA 30214. They are the organization that helped Don to find companionship through many beloved dogs over the years and is now helping to find a new home for Clover.