James "Jimmy" W. Finch

James “Jimmy” Wesley Finch, 72, of Phenix City, AL, passed away Wednesday evening at his home.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm EST, on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. David Biggers and Rev. Lynn McManious officiating. Active pallbearers Tony Sheffield, Tommy Giddon, Jimmy Alexander, Jack Paulk, Bob Bryant, Lee Lisles, Willie Mobley and Wayne Gladden.Visitation will be 2 hours before the service at the church. Interment with military honors will be at 10:00 am EST, on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery

 Jimmy was born on December 11, 1946, in Fitzgerald, GA, the son of James Frank Finch and Martha Louise Thompson White. Jimmy joined the Army in June 1969 and retired as a 1st Sgt. In 1997 from t. Stewart, GA. During his military career he was a Drill Sgt. At Ft. Sill, OK where he won Drill Sgt. Of the year. He played softball there on the company battalion and the post teams. He was a great third baseman. He rose through the ranks of 1st Sgt. He was in the Green Beret and served as a Long Ranger Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) member with K Co 75th Rangers in Vietnam, He served in Iraq with B Co 3rd 15th Infantry in Desert Storm. He also had 2 tours in Germany.  He eared or was awarded the following commendations or medals – Bronze Star with Combat Distinguished Device “V”, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (7th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Army (Retired) Lapel Button, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Southeast Asia Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon w/Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Over Seas Service Bar; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Cross Citation w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation w/Silver Star’ Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (K), Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA), Expert Badge Pistol, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. After retirement he wanted to continue to serve his country, so he found a job with the American Red Cross. During the 13 years he worked for the Armed Forces Emergency Services side, he continued to deploy with the military serving in Bosnia and Iraq. He has always wanted to help anyone he could, so he trained to become a CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, to be the spokesperson for children in abusive situations. Jimmy loved to hunt, fish and play softball.

 He is survived by his wife, Sue Pope Finch; son, James Wesley Finch, II, wife Bobbie Joan of Long Beach, MS; daughter, Kari Brooke Finch of Ft. Campbell, KY; sister, Beverly Dorminy of Kilgore, TX; brother, James Frank, wife Mary of Warner Robins, GA; grandchildren, Kodi Paulson, Wesley Finch, Raylee Finch and Raigen Lynn; great granddaughter, Maisie Leigh Mora; extended family members and many caring friends.