Brian Findley

Brian Findley was only 56 years old on Sunday, November 2, 2014, a beautiful fall day in Little Rock, when his time with us ended far too soon. Brian was a beloved and devoted husband and father, a loving and loyal son and brother, an entertaining and playful uncle, a giving friend, a caring businessman, an avid race car driver and so much more. In all parts of his life, Brian made the most out of his journey, finding joy and excitement in everything. He was born to Barry and Betty J. Findley on September 4, 1958, the second of five children and the only son. Brian lived his entire life in Little Rock and North Little Rock, with the exception of the four years he lived in Fayetteville while attending the University of Arkansas. For his early education, he attended St. Edward's Catholic School, where he was an altar boy, and then Catholic High School for Boys, where he played for four years on the Rocket's Football team. His love of football continued during his time at the University of Arkansas and he remained a loyal and avid Razorback fan. Brian was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Cardinal 30 and Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary scholastic accounting fraternity. He graduated from the U of A in 1980 with honors and was awarded a degree in Accounting. Like his father and grandfather before him, he became a Certified Public Accountant. With an exceptional knowledge of tax code and business, Brian would go on to became a managing partner with his dad in the firm that has been part of the Findley family for over 80 years. In business he was a true professional who placed importance in honesty, loyalty, professional competence and building and retaining long term relationships with clients. This level of character is what kept Findley and Findley strong for decades. Brian was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arkansas Society of CPAs. In his twenties, he became a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers of Central Arkansas. He served as a trustee and board member for a number of organizations and foundations, not due to any obligation but because he believed in the work they did and the impact they had on the community and world. Brian was an eternal child at heart. He found joy in collecting unique and rare toys and as a weekend sailor. One of Brian's great passions was vintage car racing and restoration. This love began in high school when he was a pit crew member on his dad's racing team. He had a natural talent for the technical skills needed to master mechanical work. It is not surprising that he went on to achieve an impressive racing career that has taken him to important race tracks across the US where he was a fierce competitor, achieving success in Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic racing. He was also a member of a four man 24 hour endurance race team. Along the way, he also began to restore vintage race cars and MGs. Brian had the eye and heart of an artist and was able to see beyond the pieces of metal that had been left to rust in fields and old barns and instead saw beautiful Merlins, Lolas and MGs. In bringing these cars back to their former racing glory, Brian's cars became 100 point master works that took years of patience, research and immeasurable skill to complete. Brian passed on his love of racing to both of his children. He once again became a pit crew member when his daughter Anna began soap box derby racing. He was proud beyond belief when she won the Arkansas All-American Soap Box Derby and went on to race in the National competition. Brian became teacher and mentor when his son Barry showed an interested both racing and restoration. They traveled to many car races together and had begun restoration of a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. He proudly displayed a picture of Barry standing next to the tire marks of his first burn out that Brian naturally taught him to make. Above all else, Brian was devoted to his family and friends. There is no measure to how much he loved his wife, children, family and friends and there is no measure to how much he was loved in return. Brian was preceded in death by his father Barry Brian Findley and his grandparents: Willis Winn and Bessie Twila Findley and Joseph Sr. and Emma Weber. His spirit will be carried forward by his devoted wife Kathy Gray Findley and their two amazing children, Anna Gray Findley and Barry Brian Findley III. Brian and Kathy celebrated 22 years of marriage last May and have been great partners in marriage, in life and in raising their children. Brian is also survived by his mother Betty Jeanne Weber Findley, sisters Sharon Findley Dillard (Jim) Richmond, Va., Deborah Findley Stewart (Terry) Austin, Texas, Karrie Findley Wroten (David) Little Rock, and Rhonda Findley of New Orleans, La., sisters-in-law, Karen Bean (Brian) Hot Springs and Karla Gray (Jackie Batts) Charlotte, N.C. He was very proud of his nieces and nephews: James and Logan Dillard, Ian and Jack Stewart, Casey and Alex Wroten, Tyler and Kelsey Bean and Elijah and Isaiah Gray-Batts. He will be deeply missed in all our lives. Brian's wit and his feisty sense of humor are legendary. Beloved by his family, he will also be remembered by an impressive list of lifelong friends who will never be far from the memories he left them to cherish. Visitation will be held Friday, November, 7, at 6 p.m. at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 8, at The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 617 S. Louisiana Street, Little Rock, Ark., with Msgr. Lawrence Fredrick officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 North, Alexander, Ark. 72002. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Helping Hands of Little Rock, 1601 Marshall St., Little Rock, Ark. 72216, 501-372-4388. Peace at Home Family Shelter, P.O. Box 10946, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703; The Arkansas Society of CPAs Scholarship Fund, 11300 Executive Center Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, 501-664-8739 or Catholic High School for Boys, 6300 Father Tribou Drive, Little Rock Ark. 72205, 501-664-4625. Please visit http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com to sign the online guest book.