Obituary of Donald James Finch

Donald J Finch April 19, 1952 - July 23, 2023.  He passed away unexpectedly from heart complications after a very active & hot work day at home.  He passed with his family by his side

Don was born in Wichita, KS to his parents Leland and Myra Finch and raised with his two brothers, older brother Jack and younger brother Paul.  He worked hard growing up repairing/rebuilding cars with his dad, mowing grass & throwing newspapers with his brothers, traveling to the family farm in Colorado and spent one very long summer on wheat harvest with a custom cutter.

Don was very active in the Boy Scouts and Explorers, hiking at scout ranches Quivira in Kansas and Philmont in New Mexico and loved camping with his family.  He played for the football team and graduated from Wichita East High School in 1970.  He then attended classes at Butler County Junior College.  He was a member of the Air National Guard and later transferred to Army National Guard.

Don married Susan Moore and they moved to Ft Collins Colorado in June of 1975. He designed and built the family home, a passive solar envelope structure with help of family and friends.  Don attended classes at Colorado State University, worked for the US Forest Service and in the construction industry.  The highlight of Don’s life was the birth of his children, Meagan in 1983 and Benjamin in 1985. He loved raising his children and going on many outdoor adventures with them. 

Don had many varied interests and activities in his life.  He loved to read, particularly about the Civil War, WWII and the history of the West.  He managed to stay familiar with current events.  He was always ready to help someone in need, had a knack for engaging with all kinds of people and took a great interest in his family history and genealogy.  He was an independent thinker with a unique personality and quirky sense of humor.  He was a son, brother, friend, husband, father, Scout, Airman, Soldier, forester, mechanic, gardener, builder, carpenter and woodworker.  He loved the mountains, open plains, animals of all kinds and had a special bond to his horse Rocky, dog Motley and a host of house/barn cats. He enjoyed overseeing his eastern Colorado horse pasture & farmland growing wheat, corn & feed crops.

Don was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, Susan, and his two children, Meagan & Benjamin, his wife Carly; brother Jack, his wife Janice and brother Paul, his wife Kathy along with and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday August 18^th, 2023 at the Vessey Funeral Service on 8760 6^th Street in Wellington, CO 80549 (970-236-4140)

Reception will immediately at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Fort Collins at 3709 East Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970-493-7800)

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to Colorado Habitat for Humanity.

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