Obituary for Gerald Dale Finch
Gerald Dale Finch, 69 of Pace, Florida passed from this life on April 14, 2023 at Covenant Care West Florida Hospital after a brief but courageous fight with cancer.
Gerald was born on July 22, 1953, in Wausau, FL to James Patrick Finch and Emma Euline Norton. Gerald had been a lifelong resident of the Florida Panhandle, where he worked for thirty-five plus years as a long-haul truck driver. He was an original ole Baylines driver earning the nickname “Shoe String” among his many truck driving friends during his long cross country hauls. He additionally worked with Seminole trucking for upwards of thirteen years and held other trade jobs with bricklaying and construction. He often said he had seen every state and historic park across the United States, even memorizing Interstates and Exits of every truck stop, yet he yearned to see the Grand National Canyon. He joked with family the months before his death that he should just take off and check that off his bucket list. He never got that chance. He was an avid fisher and loved restoring antique cars and trucks in his spare time. He attended many car shows while showing off his prized restorations with his car club friends and family members. He loved his family and friends dearly and was a gentle soul who avoided the limelight and never sought attention for his good deeds and acts of kindness. He will be sorely missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents: “Patrick” and Emma Finch; brother, James “Jimmy” Finch (Sheila); brother, Kenneth “Kenny” Finch (Minnie); brother, James “Bill” Finch (Susan); brother, Jackie Finch; brother, Johnny Finch; step-son, Willie “Kevin” Harris; mother-in-law, Willie Mae Enfinger; and father-in-law, Gaston S. Enfinger.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Annie Harris of Pace, FL; daughter, Crystal “Hope” Finch (Allen) of Panama City, FL; son, John “Johnny” Patrick Finch of Chambersburg, PA; brother, Rex Allen Finch of Wausau, FL; sisters: Flossie “Ellen” Collins (Kerry) of Chipley, FL, Serena Carter (Joe) of Wausau, FL, and Lisa Lingerfelt (Bill) of LaFayette, GA; grandchildren: Darla Joy Holloway (Dustin), Dustin Langford, Kendra Kimbrough (JJ), and Clark Harris (Krista); step-son, Keith Harris (Fran) of Chumuckla, FL; sister-in-law, Susan Finch of Chipley, FL; sister-in-law, Sheila Finch of Chipley, FL; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends that loved him dearly.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 2 pm at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery at Chumuckla Community Church, 8008 Chumuckla Hwy, Pace, FL.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is directing.
Cards and flowers can be directed to Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton.
Gerald was born on July 22, 1953, in Wausau, FL to James Patrick Finch and Emma Euline Norton. Gerald had been a lifelong resident of the Florida Panhandle, where he worked for thirty-five plus years as a long-haul truck driver. He was an original ole Baylines driver earning the nickname “Shoe String” among his many truck driving friends during his long cross country hauls. He additionally worked with Seminole trucking for upwards of thirteen years and held other trade jobs with bricklaying and construction. He often said he had seen every state and historic park across the United States, even memorizing Interstates and Exits of every truck stop, yet he yearned to see the Grand National Canyon. He joked with family the months before his death that he should just take off and check that off his bucket list. He never got that chance. He was an avid fisher and loved restoring antique cars and trucks in his spare time. He attended many car shows while showing off his prized restorations with his car club friends and family members. He loved his family and friends dearly and was a gentle soul who avoided the limelight and never sought attention for his good deeds and acts of kindness. He will be sorely missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents: “Patrick” and Emma Finch; brother, James “Jimmy” Finch (Sheila); brother, Kenneth “Kenny” Finch (Minnie); brother, James “Bill” Finch (Susan); brother, Jackie Finch; brother, Johnny Finch; step-son, Willie “Kevin” Harris; mother-in-law, Willie Mae Enfinger; and father-in-law, Gaston S. Enfinger.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Annie Harris of Pace, FL; daughter, Crystal “Hope” Finch (Allen) of Panama City, FL; son, John “Johnny” Patrick Finch of Chambersburg, PA; brother, Rex Allen Finch of Wausau, FL; sisters: Flossie “Ellen” Collins (Kerry) of Chipley, FL, Serena Carter (Joe) of Wausau, FL, and Lisa Lingerfelt (Bill) of LaFayette, GA; grandchildren: Darla Joy Holloway (Dustin), Dustin Langford, Kendra Kimbrough (JJ), and Clark Harris (Krista); step-son, Keith Harris (Fran) of Chumuckla, FL; sister-in-law, Susan Finch of Chipley, FL; sister-in-law, Sheila Finch of Chipley, FL; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends that loved him dearly.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 2 pm at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery at Chumuckla Community Church, 8008 Chumuckla Hwy, Pace, FL.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is directing.
Cards and flowers can be directed to Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton.