Eugene Finke

Eugene Finke, 90, of Brenham passed away at home into the Lord’s embrace surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, July 1, 2012.

Eugene Finke was born on March 20, 1922 in the Carlos Community near Anderson, Texas to Ed and Annie Finke. Gene grew up in a farming family of seven children.

In 1941, at the age of 19, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. During his four-year enlistment, he served in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations as a crew chief on cargo aircraft. He flew numerous missions, transporting combat supplies over the Himalayan Mountains from Burma to China in support of U.S. and British forces fighting the Japanese in battle for the Burma Road. Gene was a proud lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 4006 in Navasota.

Upon returning home to Grimes County, Gene met and fell in love with Frances Sechelski. They were wed on January 26, 1952 in Navasota.

Gene worked for the Texas Highway Department in Grimes County for thirty-eight years. In 1970, he was promoted to maintenance supervisor and transferred to Washington County. There he and Frances built their home and settled in Brenham, with their son, Alan.

After retirement in 1981, Gene became a full-time “Papa” to his three granddaughters. Gene enjoyed his life-long passions of gardening, carpentry, barbequing, and shooting the breeze with friends and family. In his later years, he could often be found with fellow philosophers drinking coffee at Felder’s Buy-N-Bye.

Gene was foremost a devoted husband to wife Frances, who remained the light of his life. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He shared a special bond with his great-granddaughter, Harper Renee Scott. Harper affectionately called Gene her “Finke Papa”.

Gene Finke was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four brothers and one sister.

He is survived by son Alan E. Finke and wife Debbie; granddaughters Amanda Scott and husband Travis, Rachel Finke, Katy Foley and husband Jason; great-granddaughter, Harper Scott; brother Cecil Finke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

For convenience to the public, viewing on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 will be from 8 a.m. until 12 Noon.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel with Pastor Herb Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Navasota.

Pallbearers will be Travis Scott, Jason Foley, Coy Poret Jr., Danny Finke, Devin Finke and Thomas Finke.

Memorials may be given to Hospice Brazos Valley.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979.836.3611 or leave condolences at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com