DONALD C. FINCH SR.
May 23, 1921 - May 14, 2007
Donald Charles Finch Sr., 85, of 305 Cedar Road, died Monday evening at his home surrounded by his family.
Don was a retired first sergeant with the U.S. Army, having served more than 22 years. He was born in Rochester, N.Y., to Charles and Iris Finch. During World War II, he served in Panama and in Germany with the 63rd Infantry Division in the battle of the Rhineland where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. A major part of his career was spent with the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he served at various times as instructor, first sergeant and NCOIC in the Tank Automotive Training Division. He also was Scoutmaster for the post sponsored troop.
Retiring in 1965, he was employed by Lincoln Technical Institute, a nationwide chain of career schools as director of the Washington, D.C. branch. Later, he was appointed national training director tasked to administer updating of curriculum and standardization of training concepts for the schools.
Retiring again in October 1985, he was a member of the American Society for Training and Development and an affiliate member of The Society of Automotive Engineers.
Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Adamsville Baptist Church, where he was a member, with the Rev. Bobby Heath officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery with full military honors.
Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ester B. Finch; his sons, Donald C. Finch Jr. of Yuba City, Calif., and David Finch of Goldsboro, N.C.; his daughter, Janet Kessler and husband, Steve, of Panama City, Fla.; his grandchildren, Elan Finch of Potomac Falls, Va., Elise Price of Denver, Colo., Andrew Finch of San Jose, Calif., and Lia Finch of Denver, Colo.; and his brother, Andy Finch of Aberdeen, N.C. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Adamsville Baptist Church, 1302 N. Berkeley Blvd., Goldsboro, N.C. 27534 or to a charity of one's choice.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at his home.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 16, 2007 1:47 PM