Leonard Finley

Leonard H. Finley, 80, beloved husband, father and grandfather, ascended to heaven July 13, 2008 after a short battle with Metastad Melanoma and Parkinsons disease. Leonard passed away peacefully at home with family at his side.

Leonard was a long time resident of Roswell, NM, where he was a retired teacher and coach. He taught at Roswell High School for most of his teaching career. He was born January 16th, 1928 in Gracemont, Oklahoma. Leonard graduated from Gracemont High School, Southwestern State University, Weatherford, OK, and received two Masters Degrees from The University of Oklahoma and was an avid Sooners fan.

Leonard married Jacquetta Cook, August 19th, 1955 in Carnegie, OK and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Roswell with friends and family in 2005.

Leonard was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and served as head usher for many years on his team. His hobbies included raising cattle on the family farm near Carnegie, Oklahoma and playing dominoes with friends and family and especially enjoying time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Leonard is survived by his wife Jaquetta of Roswell, son Royce Finley and his wife, Jill, of Spring, TX, daughter Diane Maxey and her husband Daniel, of Mesa AZ, Grandchildren, David Maxey and his friend Traci, Dustin Maxey and wife Tori, and Danette Maxey Nelson and her husband Josh, of Mesa, AZ., Connor and Hanson Finley, of Spring TX. Great grandchildren, Chance and Shelby Maxey and Taytum Nelson, of Mesa AZ, Brother and sisters, Lura Morris, Sacramento, CA, Gladys Collins, of Wasilla, Alaska, Phyllis Matlock-Echols and Husband Wayne Echols, Bowie TX, Jimmy Finley and wife Shirley of Velma, OK, Glenda Whitener and Husband Bob of Lake Arrowhead, TX.

Leonard was preceded in death by his sister, Billie Faye Hingst, of Paradise, CA.

A viewing will be held at Ballard Funeral Home, 910 South Main Street, Roswell, NM on Thursday, July 17th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Services to celebrate Leonards life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Roswell, NM, Friday, July 18th, at 10:00 a.m. A viewing will also be held prior to a closed casket service.

Honorary pallbearers will include Leonards close friends of many years, Royce Meacham and DeLyon Nightingale, of Chickasha, OK, Vernon Blehm, of Carnegie, OK, Dean Rankin, Stanley Lair, Marvin Southworth, Bradley Houston, Randall Jones and Ernie Core, of Roswell, NM.

Leonards cremated remains will be interned in the family plot alongside his Father and Mother during a ceremony to be held at a future date in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
PIn lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Leonards memory to the Cowboy-Bell schol

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, July 17, 2008
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Service

Memorial Service

First United Methodist Church
200 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Roswell, NM  88201
Friday, July 18, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

Cowbell Scholarship Fund
200 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201

Vista Care Hospice
400 N Pennsylvania Ave.
Roswell, NM  88201