FINLEY, Earl Wayne (Cotton)
12/7/1929 - 4/25/2018
Earl Wayne Finley, age 88, of Tucson, passed away on April 25, 2018 at Brookdale at Ventana Canyon, with daughter, Jill and son, Tom by his side. Cotton was born to Harvey and Helen Finley in Brazil, Ind. After graduating from Brazil High School, where he starred in football, he attended Indiana State University graduating in 1951. Cotton married Mary Ellen Grenhoff on November 24, 1951. Served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955. Cotton settled his family in Jackson, Mich., where he began a 35 year career as a teacher and the last 20 years as a principal. Retiring in 1990, he and Mary built their dream home on a golf course in Bella Vista, Ark. Both were good golfers, bridge players and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. In 2011, they moved to Villa Hermosa in Tucson. In October 2012, with Mary's passing, Cotton made his final residence at Brookdale. Cotton was preceded in death by parents, Harvey and Helen; wife Mary; brothers, James and Richard; sister, Mabel; daughter- in-law, Teri (Jackman) Finley. He is survived by his brother, Jerry of Fla.; daughters, Marla (David, ex-husband) of Jackson, Mich., and Jill Jacobson of Tucson; sons, Gregory (Susan) of Vancouver, Wa., Thomas (Betty) of Tucson and Joseph (Shannon) of Aurora, Co. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family is eternally grateful for the loving care given at Villa Hermosa; Brookdale Ventana Canyon; Agape and Pathways Hospice; and Pastor Dirk of Pathways. A Celebration of Life for Earl and Mary Finley will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018, in Jackson, Mich. In lieu of flowers, look a stranger in the eye, smile at them and pay them a compliment, that's what Cotton did! Arrangements by HUDGEL'S SWAN FUNERAL HOME.
