A Celebration of Life for Donald LeRoy Finley, age 86, of Enid, will be 2:00 pm, Monday, December 19, 2022 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jim Edmison officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the United States Army Honors Team will follow the service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Don was born January 5, 1936 in Woodward, Iowa to Ray and Gladys (Haney) Finley, and passed away Friday, December 16, 2022 in Enid, Oklahoma.
He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School, and then enlisted in the United States Army in March, 1953 and served his country until he was honorably discharged in October, 1954. During his time in the Army, he learned how to repair helicopters and other military aircraft; and after he was discharged, he went to work for the railroad where he was trained in locomotive repair. He worked for Rock Island Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad, where he eventually retired after over 30 years.
Don married Beatrice Woods in July 1958 in Des Moines, Iowa. They were married for 23 years prior to her passing in January, 1981. He married Patsy Tarkington May 14, 1988 in Enid, Oklahoma. During his time working for the railroad, he and Patsy moved to Muskogee, Ok and later to Ft. Worth, Texas where he retired; returning to Enid where they made their permanent home. Don was a huge NASCAR fan, loved riding his motorcycle and listening to country music, especially Reba McEntire and Vince Gill. He and Patsy enjoyed traveling the Midwest in their RV, camping and fishing.
Don is survived by his wife Patsy, of the home in Enid; two children, Donald Finley and wife Tracey, of Tulsa, OK; Debbie Rosendahl and husband Byron, of Ft. Dodge, IA; step-son Eddie Sellars and wife Sheila, of Enid; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister Anna Brown of Des Moines, IA; and brother Raymond Finley and wife Barb, of Truro, IA. He is preceded in death by first wife, Beatrice Finley; son Darrell Finley; parents, Ray and Gladys Finley; and brother Frank Finley.
Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to the Enid SPCA with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made, memories shared, and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.