James Alan Fincher
James Alan Fincher, age 81, of Kenmore, Washington passed away on June 15, 2022. Jim was born in Greeley, Colorado on April 15, 1941. He moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon when he was four years old along with his mother, father, and sisters. Jim went into the Air Force right out of high school and was stationed at Holliman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico from 1959-1963. Shortly after his military service, his sister introduced him to a woman named Karen she was friends with at work, who had a hot 64-1/2 Mustang he admired. After Karen let him drive her car, he had to have his own, and he bought a convertible 64-1/2 Mustang two days later. Twin cars ‘Millie’ and ‘Milton’ Mustang were born, and it was an auspicious sign. After a short courtship, Jim and Karen were married in Lake Oswego, Oregon on December 19, 1964, during the worst snow and ice storm to date in the Pacific Northwest. Jim’s tremendous work ethic was on display that night as, after the pipes burst at the church, he first set thoughts of the wedding aside to bail water to avoid permanent damage! Always the first to chip in and last to leave, this work ethic carried him well throughout a respected career as an engineering manager, where he worked primarily in the sheet metal fabrication field for various companies in Seattle, Woodinville, and Everett.
Jim also taught his children the value of hard work, but he had a tremendously goofy side as well. He once broke his big toe chasing his young daughters Kerri and Kristi around the house pretending to be “The Gorn” from Star Trek. Though it must have been exceedingly painful, he likely had no regrets! Wrestling matches with the kids on the floor, Boy Scout campouts with son Rob, and accompanying family singalongs on his guitar — Elvis and Beach Boys were favorites! — all contributed to the family fun. Later in life, Jim also cherished the relaxing and fun time he spent with his best friends on the Wellington and Snohomish Golf courses and always looked forward to those days during the week when they could be together. He was happy to have made his first “hole in one” a few years ago at the Snohomish Golf Course.
Jim is survived by his wife, Karen, son Rob (Evelyn) Fincher and two daughters, Kerri (Bill) Newton and Kristi (Tom) Ramey, as well as grandchildren Tony (Alli), Andy, and Jessica Newton, Emily and Grace Ramey, and Lillian Fincher, and great grandchildren Andi and Isaac Newton. He is also survived by sisters Jerrie (Kermit) Buchanan and Joan Abrahamson as well as nieces and nephews Lorie and Scott (Marjorie) Buchanan and Raundi Wilson and Mark Abrahamson, and great niece and nephew Meghan and Alan Buchanan.
Jim led a life truly well lived. His honesty, integrity, determination, and courage both in life and in facing death provided such a wonderful blessing to all who knew him. Jim, Daddy, “D”, Pop, and Grandpa (aka Grampa/“Grumpa”) will be imprinted on our lives forever, and we take such comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.
“Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest.”
– Psalm 55:6
The post first appeared on Barton Family Funeral Service.