Victor Ray Finley went to be with the Lord Friday, September 19, 2008 in Bryan, Texas at the age of 82. Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the Mortuary.
Ray was born in Hull, Texas March 8, 1926 to William Taylor and Alberta Jones Finley. Ray, the fourth of five children, grew up in Beaumont, graduated from Beaumont High School and joined the Navy during World War II. He served as Storekeeper, Second Class and as a gunner on the USS Montrose. After his service to our country, he attended Sam Houston State University and transferred to attend Lamar College where he met his bride, Dorris Fay Adams. He married Fay on April 9, 1949. His service in the Navy prepared him to serve as an inventory control manager for thirty five years with Sun Oil Company. His employment with the Pipeline Division took him and his family to Delhi, Louisiana; Snyder, Texas; Maracaibo, Venezuela, South America; McAllen, Texas; Portland, Texas and back to Beaumont where he retired in 1983.
Throughout his life, Ray gave much of himself to others as a dedicated servant of the Lord. Ray was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and the Kitchen Class. He served on the Administrative Board, Finance Committees and held various leadership positions in the Methodist Church. He enjoyed his friends and duties on the Bus Committee and loved Games Day on Thursdays. Ray was an active member of the community, too. He was president of the Lions Club twice in Portland and once in Beaumont. He was a dedicated blood donor and a member of the 5 Gallon Club. Mostly, Ray loved life, his family and making people laugh.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Fay, on July 26, 2008 after fifty-nine years of marriage. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Haig Finley, Bob Finley and Harris Finley.
Ray is survived by his children, Bruce Finley and wife Rita of Keller, Texas, Ken Finley and wife Nancy of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Anna Finley Juliff and husband Britt of College Station, Texas; six grandchildren, Eric, Jenna, Jason and wife Kimberli, and Katie Ann Finley all of California, and Kyle and Kent Juliff of College Station, one sister, Betty Roberts and husband Ike of Lake Jackson, Texas; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26th Street, Bryan, Texas 77803.
