Posted by Jan McGirk on January 3, 2011:

Col. Joe Finley was a native of Hazlehurst, Georgia and made his home in Milledgeville since 1978. He was a retired Colonel with the United States Army. His wife Virginia kept a list of their moves in the front of her favorite cookbook, and counted 23 addresses in his 29 year military career. He was a 1946 graduate of West Point and also graduated from the Army War College. He served 3 tours in Korea, 1 in Vietnam and also served in Japan, Turkey and Germany. He was a former executive Vice-President of Georgia Military College. He worked with Craig-Massee- Reality for many years and was an avid Genealogist. Col. Finley was known for the enthusiasm and problem-solving skills he brought to whatever he did, whether it was serving in the Army, tracking down the lost members of his graduating class from South Georgia College, of acquiring land for the future use of GMC. He was a loving husband and father, and was known for his fondness of jokes, puns, and compiling family stories. -He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was preceded in death by his parents Arley Dewitt Finley and Madelyn Payne Finley, his wife Virginia Lucille Barber Findley, a brother Bobby Buchnell Finley and two sisters, Betty Ruth Finley and Grace F. Schwarz. -Survivors include a son James David Finley of St. Cloud, FL, two daughters Janet Finley Davis (Paul) of Milledgeville and Rebecca Finley Striggow (Brian) of Athens, two brothers Arlie Dewitt Finley, II (Sally) of Georgetown, TX, and Arthur Jones Finley (Lori) of Braselton, three sisters Madlyn F. Jackson of Suwanee, GA, Mary F. Dixon (Jim) of Bryan, TX and Martha Dean of Sun City Center, FL, a grandson Rod Byrd of Colbert. -In Lieu of flower contributions may be made to GMC or GA Sheriffs' Youth Homes. -The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Moores Funeral Home. -Visit www.mooresfuneralhome.com to express tributes. Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/macon/obituary.aspx?n=joe-wesley-finley&pid=147136804&fhid=5380#ixzz1A0Aj4xdi

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