James D. “Jim” Finklea, 61, of Beaumont died December 31, 2004 at his residence. A native of Leland, Mississippi and resident of Beaumont for twenty-six years, Jim was a retired pilot with United Airlines. Jim graduated from Leland High School in 1961 and from Mississippi State University in 1968. He also served in the United States Air Force as a pilot during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Finklea of Beaumont; son, David Finklea of Fort Worth; brother, William Finklea of Fairfield, Texas; and his sister, Lisa Weeks of Leland, Mississippi.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 3, 2005 at Wesley United Methodist Church followed by burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 N Major Drive, Beaumont. Honorary pallbearers will be United Methodist Men. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening, January 2, 2005 at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 7410, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Institute, 3555 Stagg Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Jim’s family would like to extend special thanks to all their friends and family for their loving support during his illness.
