Gorman Eddie Finley
Gorman Eddie Finley passed peacefully to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 13, 2020. The middle child of Gorman Estes and Vivian Finley, he was born May 15, 1943 in Snyder, Texas. He graduated from Coahoma High School in Coahoma, Texas and studied business at Amarillo College. Gorman was a born athlete. He played every sport available and rodeoed as much as possible in his younger years. He had a strong love for muscle cars, old pick-ups, fast boats and generally anything with a motor.
Gorman was many things to many people: son, husband, father, pop, friend, and last but not least, Marine. Joining the Marine Corps was a defining moment in his life. He served his country with honor in Vietnam and was a fierce patriot and defender of our freedoms. Having his nephew and great nephew graduate from OCS and having them defending our country was a source of much pride for Gorman.
Gorman began working at the age of 13 with his first paper route and never stopped. Before and after his military service, he worked for Southwestern Bell. He paused his SWB career for a few years to farm, open a feed business and run a hog farm with his brother, Gary and brother-in-law, Kermit Hubbard. He eventually retired from SWB in 1991 and reignited his entrepreneurial spirit by successfully launching multiple businesses.
Gorman was first and foremost a family man. He never missed an opportunity to cheer on his kids at any activity. He could be found slinging nachos for the band boosters in the late ‘80s and supporting Jim at a show during the same weekend, all while wearing a cowboy hat. Gorman visited Jim’s recording studio in LA several years ago and while being interviewed, he was asked about his favorite food. In typical Gorman fashion, he pondered the question and answered with the straightest face “gravy”. So in case you did not know, gravy is officially its own food group!
Gorman married his bride of 20 years, Cheryl Finley, better known now as “Chop”, and blended their two families of grown children. One of his gifts was his ability to love with his whole heart and he truly loved each child the same. His greatest joy, and no surprise to anyone who knew him, were his six grandchildren; all you had to do was ask about one and he would tell you about them all!
Gorman and Cheryl traveled throughout the Caribbean to Nassau, St. Lucia, Exuma and Jamaica where he gifted his favorite bartender his cowboy hat. They traveled to Costa Rica with most of the family in 2017, frequently visited Bandera to enjoy the country life and spend time with the grandkids. They enjoyed trips all over the USA. They even traveled to Las Vegas in their RV for a wedding themed 40th birthday party. Gorman was not about to miss a fun party, especially if it involved a vacation! He was a magnet for people and the life of every party. Everyone was drawn to his larger-than-life personality and not once did he ever meet a stranger.
Gorman loved the deer lease. In later years, he enjoyed more of the “getting together” at the deer lease than the actual hunting. He won the jackpot when he married Cheryl who also loved the deer lease and really, anything Pop wanted to do. For them, the deer lease was a gathering place for family fun. He loved nothing more than taking the grandkids and meeting his kids, brother, cousins and favorite son-in-law at the deer lease.
Gorman and his family never missed a Memorial Day Holiday together. Such were these gatherings that his kids eventually named the weekend “GormanFest”. His kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and family gathered to not only remember those he served with in Vietnam but to honor everyone who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Gorman loved a good party more than anyone but never confused why we gathered for Memorial Day and made sure we all knew why.
Gorman is preceded in death by his parents and beloved sister, Sharon Kay Hubbard.
He leaves behind his wife Cheryl Finley; children Jim Finley and wife Catherine; of Santa Monica, California; daughter, Shana Finley Turow and husband John of Lewisville, Texas; son Ryan Morgan and wife Angie of Nome, Texas; son Dustin Morgan and wife Karrie of Sour Lake, Texas. He also leaves behind six amazing grandchildren who have made him proud as well as kept him entertained and laughing for 22+ years: Parker Turow, Payton Turow, Rylan Morgan, Olivia Morgan, Dillon Morgan and Michele Morgan. He also leaves behind his heart broken baby brother Gary Finley and his wife Barbara of Pine Wood, Texas; niece Krista Salesberry and husband Ron of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service for Mr. Finley will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gorman’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 2200 Space Park Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77058 www.woundedwarrierproject.org or MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030 www.mdanderson.org.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.
Video
Broussard's Crematorium
Broussard's Crematorium
- 5150 stivers street beaumont tx 77705
Memorial Service
Memorial Service
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 12/19/2020
- 3:00 pm
Comments
Cynthia P Burke
I’m so sorry for you and all of your family, he will be missed dearly. Love and memories will help bring better times,. God Bless you’ll and my prayers are with you
Tammy Brickhouse
Hugs and love to the family. What a great man! I will miss him so much!!
Kelly Tucker
We are so sorry and sad to hear about Gorman! He was always so sweet and happy when we were around him. With a great big smile! He will be missed a lot! Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers! Again, we’re so sorry! Love y’all! The Tucker’s
Gary M Finley
Oh Man this is hard at 72 I have never been with out My Sister and Brother. I talk to brother most every day. WE were on the same page all the time. I am LOST and will be for a minute. This is the worst two losses in Life for me. Only our Military Service separated us Him In Vietnam USMC. My sister and Brother in Law US Air Force Thailand Then the Baby joined US Army. We have Great Pride in our Service to this Country. Gorman is all in my heart we were Best Friends Blood all the way. Missing him.
Donna Miller aka. Peanut
Gorman you will be truly miss . You and Cheryl were always such good friends . My prayers go out to you family . RIP my friend.