Roll Call Tribute

Gayle Lacliff Finch 

October 11, 1939 - November 2, 2023 

Services for Gayle L. Finch, 84, of Athens, Texas are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home with Danny Davis officiating with interment following at Davis Cemetery near Athens.

Gayle Finch passed away on November 2, 2023, in Athens, Texas.

Gayle Finch was born October 11, 1939, in Mayfield, Texas, the son of Clifton Finch and Louise (Lowrey) Finch. Gayle graduated from Bynum High School in 1957, went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University after transferring for a short time to Tarleton State due to a car accident which is where he met his first wife Edith. Shortly after graduation he became the Assistant Agricultural Extension Agent of Cameron County before becoming the head Agricultural Extension Agent of Henderson County from 1966-1992 where he recently received the Jay Beson Award for his dedication to the agricultural community. Along with friend and business partner Kenneth McGee, Gayle started Athens Swine Breeders in 1969, the Finch and McGee Cattle Company a few years later and individually started Fort Sandflat Gun Products in 1984. He was an active member of his community where he was elected as President of Kiwanis Club in Athens and served as the Executive Secretary of the Henderson County Livestock Show for many years.

Gayle had a love for designing and building things including his many woodworking projects and in his free time he enjoyed fishing and even fished in many tournaments over the years. His legacy in the agricultural community, the 4H kids and the FFA youth will forever be felt throughout Henderson County and he will be greatly missed by all the many lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Pamela Finch.

Survivors include his son Joel Finch and wife Linda of Waco; stepdaughters, Deidra Hopkins and husband Mark of Chandler, Dianna Guererro and husband Jorge of Flower Mound, Penny Busch of Plano; siblings Mike Finch and wife Shirley of Early, Texas, Judy Schronk and husband James of Hillsboro, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah Saxon and husband Ryan, Abby Guererro, Jaxx Guererro, great granddaughter Alexa Jane “AJ” Saxon and nephews Rodney Schronk, Derek Schronk, and Scott Finch.