George Keith Finan II

George would hate that he went this way - so suddenly of a heart attack with no forewarning. He was a planner. This is a testament to his character. He was constantly helping people avoid burdens by taking on more himself. George had an admirable sense of duty and loyalty and was someone you could always count on.

Born in Denver, Colorado, to George and Edith Finan, George was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served honorably for 21 years. He would later obtain his master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma and his doctorate from Auburn University.

While stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, George would meet the love of his life, Jeanne, and the two would share 43 happy and devoted years of marriage. From having lively political debates over delicious home-cooked meals to making weekend escapes to Port Aransas, their life together was never dull.

George’s military service would take the couple and their children around the globe and on various adventures in their blue Volvo station wagon. The family would ultimately settle in Austin in 1986, where George would retire from a full and decorated career in the Air Force and embark on a second career as a government professor.

Like his parents before him, adventure played a central role in George’s life, from biking across the United States to raise money for charity to hiking the Appalachian Trail. Later in life, he teamed up with his dad to homestead several acres of land, a project that would lead to countless misadventures on the Kubota tractor.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edith Finan, and his sister, Mary Ann Nightengale. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne Finan, and his six children: Melissa Finan-Demalon and her husband, Tom Demalon; Candace Cox; Keith Finan and his wife, Ania; Gina Finan and her partner, Paris DuRante; Benjamin Finan and his wife, Diana Nguyen; and Kristin Finan and her husband, Patrick Badgley. He is also survived by four brothers: Bob Finan and his wife, Nancy Finan; Greg Finan and his wife, Ginny Finan; Mike Finan and his wife, Liz Finan, and Jeff Finan, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A family man to his core, George worked hard to keep the family united and connected. He wasn't afraid of change and constantly worked to be a better version of himself, and that self was generous and compassionate. George was not afraid of a true heart-to-heart.

His generosity and compassion extended to his 10 grandchildren, and George adored his role as Grandpa. From camping, fishing, and RV trips to library adventures and $1-menu lunches at Wendy’s, he will be sorely missed by his 10 grandchildren: Kona Badgley-Finan, Mirielle Badgley-Finan, Lashiah Badgley-Finan, Joaquin Badgley-Finan, Marley Brown, Allie Brown, Mitchell Finan, Connor Finan, Bryn Finan, and Peregrine Nguyen-Finan.

A devout Catholic, George was also passionate about philanthropy and gave generously to a multitude of causes. Most recently, he was the primary donor toward a transitional housing project for youth aging out of the foster care system, a cherished family project that will now live on as his legacy. George was also an avid dog-lover who relished his daily walks with Stetson, Cricket, and Yoda; as such, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ASPCA.

An avid organizer of family reunions, George would have appreciated the excuse for everyone to gather over the holidays, even in his death. Visitation and rosary will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park (6300 W. William Cannon Dr., Austin, TX 78749). A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (4800 Convict Hill Rd., Austin, TX 78749).

Please raise a cup of coffee and enjoy a sweet treat in honor of a wonderful man today. We will miss him forever.