James Finley

James Finley was a hardworking and loyal member of the Vicksburg community for nearly 50 years. He cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much laughter and love. Jim was not consumed by materials gains in life, but by the satisfaction of putting his family and friends first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand.

The year of 1917 fell right near the end of World War I. Though the small town of Cruthersville, Missouri, located at the banks of the Mississippi River, was far removed from the chaotic battlefields of Europe, the war was on everyone's mind. For John Finley and his wife, Daisy (Owen), however, the impending arrival of their first child was on their minds. On June 11, 1917, their son, James, was born. As the oldest son, Jim's placement in the sibling lineup meant he carried a heavy load of responsibility, especially after his father died in 1926. Although only 9, Jim left school after the third grade in order to support his family, doing manual labor on area farms and picking cotton.

In 1939, Jim met the love of his life, Cassie Mayo, when she was visiting in the area from Tennessee. A bit shy, Jim finally got his nerve up to ask her to the movies and the rest they say is history. The couple was married in 1939, and was blessed with six children. Like many young men of the time, Jim soon went off to serve his country during World War II and was stationed in China.

A man of many talents, Jim used his abilities to make a wonderful life for his family. Over the years, he worked several different jobs, including as a boat builder, painter, lumberman, bartender and cook. In fact, it was work as a lumberman that brought the family to Vicksburg, Michigan, in the 1950s. When Jim worked as a bartender/cook at the Vicksburg Hotel, he introduced the town to biscuits and gravy for the first time. Even though he worked hard, Jim also found time to enjoy some of his favorite activities, like fishing or taking a leisure walk to relax. He also liked watching John Wayne movies, however, Saturday afternoons were strictly set aside for poker with a group of his good friends. For the last 10 years, Jim has lived at Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Three Rivers and has experienced poor health for the last few years.

A true family man, Jim spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family. All who knew James Finley will treasure his memory.

James Finley died on Sunday, July 3, 2005, at Three Rivers Area Hospital. Learn more about Jim's life by visiting with his family and friends on Wednesday, July 6, from 6-8 p.m. at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel. Private graveside services will be at a later dater. Members of his family include his daughters: Linda McKinney, Shelby Hines and Mary Finley; 20 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He follows in death his sons, Clifford, Donald and Ivan, and his wife, Cassie. Please visit Jim's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society.