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IN LOVING MEMORY OF James Dean Finch
James Dean
Finch
May 6, 1930 – October 21, 2018
James Dean Finch's Obituary
James Dean "Jim" Finch age 88 was laid to rest with his beloved wife Teresita Maanao Finch on November 21, 2018 at Miramar National Cemetery. He passed away in the warmth and comfort of home, surrounded in love by his children and grandchildren.
Born in St. Louis, MO, Jim was raised in Winfield, IA by a loving mother who instilled in her sons the importance of integrity, compassion and a strong work ethic. After high school, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from Iowa State University at Ames under the GI Bill with a degree in Electrical Engineering, then went on to retire after 41 years of federal service from the Naval Electronics Laboratory San Diego specializing in submarine sonar communication systems. Jim's career yielded two U.S. patents, and U.S. Navy honors as an inductee into the "Royal Order of the Blue Nose" in 1981 for crossing the Arctic Circle aboard the submarine USS Finback.
Jim ultimately arrived in San Diego, CA and made University City his home for the past 46 years. He described meeting his wife Teresita "was the moment my real life began." His greatest passion and self-proclaimed achievement was as provider, cheerleader and faithful supporter of his family. In the 1970s he was well known in the UC community for coaching his four children's youth sports teams while his wife managed with zest. More recently Jim was known as #1 fan and photographer at his children's and grandchildren's sports and activities. Another great source of joy and pride for Jim was as an adopted son of the Chamorro culture through his marriage to Teresita, his love of the cuisine and his exceptional cha-cha dance skills displayed at many an event over the years at Sons and Daughters of Guam Club San Diego.
Jim is, and will always be, dearly loved and missed by: his children and their spouses Cheri Garcia, Joseph Thomas "Tom" Garcia & Denise, Janis Garcia Cruz & Philip, Daina Finch Hartin & Aaron; brothers and sisters-in-law Jack & Betty Finch of Sonora, CA and John Charles "Chuck" & Cathy Patterson of San Francisco, CA; and Papa's grandchildren Robert, Zachary, Ana, Lucas, Hannah Teresita, Grace, Kirsten, Kameryn, and Mason James. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Teresita Maanao Finch in 1991 and his mother, Mildred Lofgren Patterson.
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Funeral Services for James Dean Finch
Committal Service with Military Honors
November
21
Miramar National Cemetery
Starts at 9:00 am
James Dean Finch's Guestbook
Visits: 6
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