Charles Robert "Chuck" Finlayson

Funeral services for Charles R. “Chuck” Finlayson, 91, of Tyler will be 10:00 A.M., Thursday, July 16, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. Graveside services with military honors and masonic rites will be at 11:30 A.M. in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Chuck was born on July 30, 1923 in Denver, Colorado and passed away on Friday, July 10, 2015 in Tyler. He was the elder son of James A. and Mae Finlayson. Chuck spent his early years in west Texas, then moved to Tyler in 1931 when his father came for the oil boom. Chuck was a graduate of Gary, Hogg, and John Tyler where he was an All-State end for the Lions.

While attending the University of Texas, Chuck enlisted in the Air Force to serve in World War II. Second Lieutenant Finlayson flew 27 missions with 483rd Bombardment Group, 840th Air Corps Squadron for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Presidential Unit Badge for the longest bombing mission made by an American crew in the bombing of Berlin. Chuck was humble about his wartime leadership, but in a 2008 interview with KLTV, he said "War is hell. No doubt about it."

Chuck returned to UT and his beloved fraternity, Kappa Sigma in 1947. After graduation He worked in oil fields of Texas and overseas in Libya for Humble and Esso Oil. In Tyler Chuck was a real estate and insurance broker and represented Equitable and John Hancock. He also was a vice president at Investex. Chuck loved the stock market, was a thrifty Scot, and enjoyed tracking his investments. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church and the Willowbrook Country Club. He was a 50 year Master Mason of Tyler Lodge 1233 A.F. and a member of Tyler Kiwanis Club. Chuck was an avid golfer, tennis and Senior Softball player. For 30 years he participated in Tyler Civic Theatre, where he and his wife Alyce met on a play production. Later in life he faithfully attended the “Koffee Klutch” at Majors Pharmacy of which he was treasurer.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Alyce Long Finlayson; brother, Jim Finlayson, Jr.; and nephew, James B. "Bud" Finlayson.

He is survived by nieces, Alex Finlayson and husband Steve, of San Diego and Kate Finlayson and husband Chris, of Pittsboro, North Carolina; niece, Leticia Finlayson (widow of Bud), of Forney; great-nieces and nephews Hector, Fernando, Patty, Elizabeth, Augustus, Juliet; and 15 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Hector Finlayson, Fernando Vielma, Gus Thompson, Ray Hunt, Greg Majors, Marshall Ewing and Kenny Majors.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at the funeral home.

Donations in Chuck’s name may be made to Tyler Civic Theatre or Hospice of East Texas.