David Laverne Fincher

Fincher - David Laverne passed away peacefully after a long illness on April 29, 2012, with Patricia, his beloved wife of 58 years, and family members by his side. David was born July 4, 1932, to Marie Richey and John H. Fincher in Minatare, Nebraska. David is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Douglas Fincher, Robert Fincher, daughters Kimberly Fincher, Patricia Shuert (husband William), daughter-in-law Julia McKinstry; grandchildren Sarah Behrendsen (husband Joshua), Hillary Shuert (fiancé Theron), Alison Shuert, Amy Fincher (fiancé Brandon), and Laura Florell (husband Tyler); great grandchildren Carter Shuert, Cassidy Behrendsen, and more on the way; his sisters Claira Beeman, Cora Alice Baldwin, Betty Jo Wilson (husband Gary), Juanita Ellibee (husband Donald), Kathleen Benson (husband Jon), and brothers Charles Fincher (Loretta), Charles Fincher, Jr. (wife Susie), Kenneth Fincher; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death are his father John H. Fincher, mother Marie Wheeler, step-mother Bernice Fincher, sister Clorene Clark, and brothers John H. Fincher, Jr., William Barrett, and Royal Barrett. David’s childhood and adolescent years were spent attending school in a one room schoolhouse, working on the family farm, and reading adventure books on the hillside while tending sheep in the pastures of Nebraska. At 18, David joined the Nebraska Army National Guard, and then the U.S. Navy to serve his country full time. After serving 10 years with the Navy, David joined the U.S. Air Force working as an avionics technician, and served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. In between deployments and naval cruises, David married his blushing bride Patricia Harris on August 22, 1953, and they began their life together moving from base to base and raising 4 children. After 22 years of military service, David retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force at Kirtland AFB in 1973. Upon retirement, he and Patricia began building their home in Edgewood, NM, where they would also operate their own business, D & P Electronics, for 25 years repairing audio visual equipment for schools and businesses throughout the state of New Mexico. During his free time throughout the years, David enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, fishing, ballroom dancing, learning to play guitar, woodworking and building furniture, reading, listening to country music, hunting for old record albums at thrift stores, playing with his 2 cats Tippy and Abby, and always seizing the opportunity to “modify” anything and everything. Although a quiet man, David’s sparkling eyes, infectious smile, and helping hand often said more than any words could ever say, and he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will take place on May 12, 2012, at 10:00am at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Edgewood, New Mexico.