Obituary - Jim Finke

Jim Finke passed away March 7, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 76 after a five-year battle with lung cancer. He fought it with great courage and strength, never complaining.

He was born in Kendrick to Carl Finke and Neva Ware Finke, Feb. 28, 1936. Jim moved from Southwick to Orofino in 1952. He graduated from OHS in 1954 and married June 19, 1954. Together they had three sons. Jim was married for 57 years. He started working in the woods when he was 16 through the summer months for his father's company, Carl Finke Logging. He then worked full time once he graduated from high school. In 1974 he bought into his dad's logging company and, with his brother they formed Finke Logging Co. Inc. The company worked for Potlatch Corp. throughout all of these years. The company is now owned by Jim, his brother and his sons.

Jim was a board member of A.L.C. and A.L.E. and was a member of Orofino Golf and Country Club. He was also a member of Clarkston Golf and Country Club for about 10 years. Being an avid supporter of youth baseball throughout his years, Jim was especially proud of the fact he and others started back up the American Legion program in the early '70s. Jim was honored in 2007 when he and his wife were chosen as grand marshals for the Orofino Lumberjack Days.

Jim enjoyed working on his property, the old Finke homestead in Southwick. His interests included watching sports, gambling at the casino, golfing and gardening with his great-grandson. Anyone who knew Jim knew he got great pleasure in razzing his grandkids, though he loved them dearly. Nothing was more important to him than his family; he always knew what everyone was up to (thanks to his new-found love of Facebook).

He was raised and lived by the old school ways, always true to his word and everyone had great respect for him. Being the hard worker that he was, Jim got a little discouraged in his last few years when he was unable to get out and see the logging jobs and enjoy the woods he loved so much.

Jim is survived by his loving family: wife; brother; sister; three sons; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Neva Finke, and sister Sharry Wilson.

A celebration of life will be conducted at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Best Western Lodge at Rivers Edge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's honor to Orofino Golf and Country Club.

Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory of Orofino is in care of arrangements.

Lewiston Tribune, March 10, 2012, p. 5D
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock