James Finklea

MURRAY, Ky. - James Barry Finklea, 87, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Dec. 28, 2003, at the Murray Calloway County Hospital in Murray.

Born July 13, 1916, at Blytheville, Ark., son of the late John Edwin and Tera Gwen Godwin Finklea, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He attended the University of Arkansas School of Engineering and was a land owner and farmer. During his lifetime, he was successful in many early improvements in farming.

On Dec. 27, 1944, at Blytheville, he married Charlotte Louise Wiseman who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jim Finklea of Nashville, Tenn., and John and Melissa Finklea of Murray; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tera Jeanette and Harold Persfull of Bloomfield and Nora Layne and Joe Fuchs of Sikeston; one sister, Martha L. Smothermon of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Danna Persfull, Alexis Finklea and Hayes Finklea; and one great-grandchild, Haley Persfull.

He was preceded in death by one son, Joseph Nelson Finklea; one sister, Helen Finklea; one brother, Bob Finklea; and two grandchildren, Daren Persfull and Crystal Persfull.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Fred Leist will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

the First United Methodist Church 501 S. Walnut St., Box 156 Dexter, MO 63841

Paid obituary