Earl Fredrick Finch

Earl Fredrick Finch, age 101, of Norman, passed away Friday, June 30, 2017 in Norman. Earl was born November 24, 1915 in Noble, OK, the oldest of 2 boys born to Ernest Fredrick Finch and Bessie Edna (Blair) Finch. At two years of age, Earl's father passed, and Bessie later married George Haxel. Together they had one daughter. They settled on the Haxel family farm near Washington. Earl learned at a very young age the value of hard work, as he began managing the everyday tasks of the family farm at the age of 13. On December 17, 1938, Earl married Dorothy Marie Johnson in Purcell, and together they raised two children, son, Keith and daughter, Judy. Earl farmed until 1955, when they moved to Norman. He began working for the University of Oklahoma, later retiring as Shop Foreman of the Engineering Research Shop. Earl served the Lord faithfully as a member of Trinity Baptist and later First Baptist Church in Norman for more than 50 years. He loved being outdoors and spending time at the family homestead. Earl's greatest gift to us all was his love for life, and he enjoyed each and every day. He was a happy, kind and generous man, and a great friend to many! He will be dearly missed! He was preceded in death by: His wife, Dorothy Finch in 2012; Daughter, Judy Finch Freeman in 2015; His parents, Ernest Finch and George and Bessie Haxel and His siblings, Leroy Finch and Iola Haxel Mitchell. Earl leaves behind: His son, Keith Finch and wife Burlyn of Purcell; 7 grandchildren, Karen Wahl and husband Brad of Mount Juliet, TN, Eric Freeman of Monroe, WA, Anne Mahlmann of Lake Stevens, WA, Brian Finch and wife Melynee of Colorado Springs, Emily Williams of Houston, TX, Sally Stone and husband Greg of Atlanta, GA and Emily Cripps and husband Jim of Pleasant View, TN; 15 great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday, July 7, 2017 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Washington Cemetery in Washington. Viewing/ Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Autism Asperger Connections of Colorado Springs. You can donate online @ autismaspergerconnections.org.

Earl Fredrick Finch

November 24, 1915 - June 30, 2017