Philip Finley

PHILIP BRUCE FINLEY        Philip ‘Phil’ Finley, 86, Colby, Ks., died April 17, 2016, at Citizen’s Medical Center of complications from heart failure.       He was born March 25, 1930, in White City, Ks. the first of five children of Marshall A.and Zelma (Krenkle) Finley.       Philip graduated from Morrowville High School in 1947, and enrolled at Kansas State University. ROTC was mandatory, thus started his life long military career. He graduated from KSU in 1951 with an Agricultural Education Degree and a commission as a second Lieutenant of Artillery.       Philip was assigned to Fort Custer, where he met Jacquelin Lou Thomas of Battle Creek, Mich. and they married on the 24th of May 1952.  Four months after the marriage, Philip was sent to the Republic of Korea, serving as an artillery forward observer and artillery officer with the 59th Field Artillery Battalion and the 15th Automatic Weapons Artillery Battalion.       After returning home from overseas combat, Philip once again enrolled at KSU and graduated with a Masters Degree. This began a new career as an educator, a career he was familiar with, since both his parents had dedicated their lives to education. In 1954 he moved to western Kansas accepting a position at Bird City Rural High School as a Vocational Agricultural Instructor.       In 1955 the couple moved to Norton, Ks., and Phil assumed the duties of Vo. Ag. Instructor and Assistant Principal of Norton Community High School. While in Norton, two children were born, Jeffrey A. Finley and Robin L. (Finley) Binder.       Following 12 years in Norton, the Finley’s moved to Oberlin, Ks.. Phil once again affiliated with KSU became the Decatur County Extension agent and later a Northwest Area Extension Specialist concentrating on community resource development.       Moving to Colby, Ks. in 1974 found Phil serving as Northwest Area Extension Director until resigning in 1987 to shift careers once more.       Having been a member of the Kansas National Guard for numerous years, Phil achieved the rank of Brigadier General, commuting the long distance on weekends to the Kansas National Guard Headquarters in Topeka, Ks..  Exposure to state government offered an opportunity to become Adjutant General of Kansas under Governor Mike Hayden until 1991. Having reached the rank of Major General , Philip retires from a 40 year military career.      Retirement found Phil trucking, spending time with granddaughter Kally, involved with the VFW and American Legion, and rendering care to family and friends. Phil was unfettered in serving God, Country, Community, and Family and Friends. Phil knew no stranger and will be missed by all. What a wonderful Father and Friend!       Phil was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, parents, sister Bonnie Holman (4/2/2016), brother-in-law Ronald Hiatt, granddaughter Rebecca Binder, and a son-in-law Roger Binder.       Survivors include; a son Jeff Finley and friend Mary Juenemann, a daughter, Robin Binder; siblings and in-laws Robert (Delores) Finley, Sam (Donna) Finley, Virginia Hiatt and brother-in-law Jon Holman and a granddaughter Kally Binder.