two, Vietnam Veteran and retired civil servant went home to be with our Lord.
Jack was born on August 21, 1945 in Buffalo, Wyoming to Robert and Geraldine (Lee) Finley.
On October 1,1966, he married the love of his life, Lorna J. Hillis, and recently celebrated their
52nd Wedding Anniversary. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Robert Clark Finley, his
mother; Geraldine (Lee) Finley Songer, his brothers; Donald Finley, Dave Finley, James Finley
and his sister Bonnie Turk.
Jack and Lorna have two children, Robert and Eileen; Robert T. Finley, and his wife Pennie
Finley of Stafford, Virginia, Eileen (Finley) Darden of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was blessed
with five grandchildren (Thomas J. Darden, Jacob A. Darden, Robert M. Finley, Ashley M. Finley
and Nicholas J. Finley) and four great grandchildren (Preslie M. Darden, Tynlie M. Darden,
Mallorie G. Darden, and Marlie A. Darden). Jack also has several nieces, nephews, family and
friends that he loved very much.
Jack served in the U.S. Army for 8 years including one tour in Vietnam. He received the
following awards: Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnam Service Medal;
Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster; and National Defense
Service Medal.
Jack has a Masters in Project Planning from George Washington University School of
Business.
After 40 years of federal service, Jack retired from General Services Administration.
During his tenure at the Central Office of General Services Administration located in
Washington, DC, he was selected to work on several Presidential Transition Teams as a nonpartisan
Director of the Automated Office System Transition Team. While on the Presidential
Transition Teams, he received several Presidential Accommodation Awards and Certificates.
After retirement, Jack and Lorna settled in Elizabethton, Tennessee and traveled across the
country. He soon became the President of the Mandalay/THOR RV Travel Club (2004 - 2008).
Jack was also a member of the VFW Post 2166 and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.
Jack had a passion for keeping God first in his life and helping others. He helped anyone that
needed it and touched many lives. Jack was very proud of his children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. He encouraged them to keep God first in their lives and always told
them: “You are today what you decided yesterday; you will be tomorrow what you decide
today.”
His favorite Bible verse was:
“I can do all things though Christ which strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church
1503 Riverview Drive
Elizabethton, TN 37643
October 30, 2018
11:00 - 12:00 Receiving of Family and Friends
12:00 - 1:00 Celebration of Life Service for Jack L. Finley
1:00 Processional to VA cemetery
Burial @ 2:30 pm
Mountain Home National Cemetery
53 Memorial Avenue
Mountain Home, TN 37684
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Jack L. Finley to:
Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church
1503 Riverview Drive
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 542 - 5344
www.valleyforgechurch.com
or
American Legion Watauga Post No. 49
111 S. Watauga Avenue
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 534-4241
