| Phillip Finley |
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Phillip H. Finley, 89, of Meridian, died on Friday, May 15, 2009 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 23rd at the Holy Trinity Charismatic Episcopal Church, a viewing will be held at the church prior to the service. Burial will be on Tuesday, May 26th at 1:00 PM at the Twin Falls Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.
After graduation from Declo High School, where Phil participated in basketball and football, he attended Idaho State University for a year before relocating to Miles City, Montana. He worked at a tire shop until the onset of World War II. After enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps, he was stationed in England where he served as a B-17 Bomber mechanic until the end of the war in Europe. Upon discharge, Phil began his career with Idaho Power working as an operator at Shoshone Falls and the Upper Salmon plants. His final tenure was with the Twin Falls Service Center, where he was employed as a technician for the remainder of his 35 years with the company. He resided in Twin Falls, Idaho with Paula, his wife of 40 years, until 2001 when they moved to Boise. Paula passed away in 2001 and Phil moved to Meridian, Idaho to live directly across the street from the Holy Trinity Charismatic Episcopal Church, which son Father Mark constructed and Phil was personally involved in the process from ground to steeple. Phil is survived by his sons, Steven (Jeannie) Finley and Father Mark Finley (Stacy); grandchildren, Gretchen, Shannon, and Doug (Linda) Finley and Katie Kendall, along with nephews Bryce and Doug Dethlefs. The family wishes to acknowledge our deep sorrow at Pop’s passing, yet we understand that even though his physical presence is absent, his spirit surrounds us and we are comforted by the certainty that he is now in the midst of greener fields. CondolencesSender's Name: Audrey Belsher Audrey Belsher and family wish to express sympathies to the family. Phil is remembered and always will be with much fondness Sender's Name: Mary Allen I am Richard Drury's daughter. Phil lived next door to my dad for a while. Phil meant a lot to my father. He was a good neighbor and a good friend for him. My dad was sad to see him move but he understood. My sympathy to your family.
Sender's Name: Dick Walker Mark and Steve, I have several memories of your fathers generosity to people beyond his own family: - The basketball court open to the neighborhood even after all the broken windows. - Access to the baseball diamond ( Vacant lot on Pierce St.) through the gate in your backyard. - Sleeping out in your backyard with the tarp to protect the bags from the morning dew. Now with central air-conditioning my daughter has a hard time understanding how enjoyable that summer experience was. - The poker table and chips in your basement along with your fathers instruction on the many games of poker and their strategies. - Trusting a teenager neighbor enough to share in the natural beauties of his cabin in the Sawtooth’s without himself having to be there. These and other memories of a wonderful man have, and will always stay with me. Dick Walker |
Phil was born May 13, 1920 in Declo, Idaho. His family farmed while his father Charles worked the irrigation lifts and mother Naomi attended to home and needs. Phil was the youngest of three children, preceded in age by Roth and Millie.