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Donald Ray Finley was born on June 2, 1931, in Wilson, Oklahoma, to Wylie and Esther Finley. He was a faithful Christian who was devoted to God and active in His work. Throughout his life, Don taught youth Bible classes, led church youth groups and served as a Deacon in several of the congregations he attended as his career took his family to different cities.
Don attended Wilson schools throughout his childhood and distinguished himself as a talented high school football player. Playing on their home field, appropriately nicknamed “Sticker Stadium”, was a challenge due to the heavy crop of stickers burrs. Don, however, used them to his advantage, doing his best to ensure his opponents landed in them whenever he made a tackle.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Don began working in the rail yard for Santa Fe Railway. He advanced throughout his career and eventually retired as Grain Pricing Manager, responsible for setting Santa Fe’s shipping rates for all grain shipments across the country.
In 1949 Don met the love of his life, Eula Berry, of Ardmore, Oklahoma. They married on June 17,1950 and built a life together centered on faith and family of five children. Aside from his faith, nothing was more important to Don than his family. He was a devoted father who took an active role in the lives and activities of his children and grandchildren. He coached his son’s baseball and football teams and retired early, moving back to Oklahoma so he could coach his grandson, Chris. He was a gentle and comforting presence--a soft shoulder for his daughters whenever they needed one.
Although Eula was the love of his life, Don’s other great loves were OU football and Dodger baseball. From the time he moved to Oklahoma City, he held season tickets to OU football games through 2023 and never missed the Red River Rivalry during those years. He also treasured traveling to several OU Bowl games with his sons, daughter and granddaughter.
On August 28, 2026, God called Don home.
He is survived by his daughter, Donna (Perry) Robertson, sons, Mike (Lynn) Finley and Mark (Ginny) Finley, grandchildren Kevin Robertson, Brian Robertson, Holly Nash, Kelli Zink, Stephanie Sharp, Brandi Finley, Crystal Laschober, Tina Laschober, Marylynn Laschober, Chris Finley, Emily Smith, Ashley Finley, Julie Finley and Tracie Finley, as well as many great-grandchildren and other loved ones.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Wylie and Esther Finley ,his beloved wife, Eula Berry Finley, his daughter, Ann Laschober, his son, Jerry Loyed Finley, his granddaughter, Jessica Finley, great granddaughter Ava Robertson and his brother, Jerry Dee Finley.
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