ROBERT LEE FINLEY

LAMAR- The family of Robert Lee Finley, 74, Lamar, who died Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Daniel Funeral Home.

A private family burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested and made payable to Nathan's Place, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Kay; one son, Micah Cook and wife Sara, Texas; two daughters, Amy Finley, Pittsburg, Kan. and Angela Schneider and husband Eric, Lamar; five grandchildren, Carmel Price, Garin Schneider, Gabriel Schneider, Carter Cook and Harper Cook; one great-grandchild, Bodhi Price; a sister, Kathy Jenkins and husband Dennis, Lamar and an honorary son and daughter, Michael Bartholomew and Elizabeth Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Nathan E. Finley.

Mr. Finley was born June 26, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo. and was adopted by Fred W. Finley and Mary Katheryne “Jimmy” (Perry) Finley. He married his third wife, Mary Kay (Sailor) Cook in Branson on April 30, 2005 and true to his style, they were married by a John Wayne impersonator.

Mr. Finley worked as an electrical engineer for Finley Engineering in Lamar. He was a member of the NRA, a Mason, a Shriner, a former member of the Brotherhood of Bikers and a member of the Lamar United Methodist Church. He served in the 82nd Airborne from March 1976 to July 1983. He loved riding his Harley, watching old westerns, cheering for the Chiefs and wearing t-shirts with bizarre sayings.

He was the orneriest old man you would ever meet, but he grew the biggest heart underneath the tough exterior. He finally decided that he couldn't get there from here and had to go somewhere else to start.