Ronald Gene Finley

Ronald Gene Finley, 72, of Searcy, died Monday, March 18, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born December 6, 1946 in De Queen, Arkansas to Louis Clifton Finley and Martha Lee "Madeline" Griffin. Ron was a graduate of De Queen High School, Class of 1964, had a B.A. in Biology from the University of Arkansas in 1969, and had a Masters in Counseling from the University of Arkansas. He retired in 2006 as Registrar at Harding University. His hobbies included traveling, baseball, working in his workshop, and volunteering for Life Resources International. He served as Major in the United States Army, and he was a Deacon at the College Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Linda Kay (Needham) Finley; and granddaughter, Melanie Cox. He was survived by his wife, Billie (Fairley) Finley; brothers, Tony (Bettye) Finley of Searcy and Joe (Jeannie) Finley of Ozark, Arkansas; sons, Jonathan (Heather) Finley of Batesville, Benjamin (Teresa) of Sulphur, Oklahoma, and Stephen (Britney) of Searcy; stepchildren, Maleah (David) Bufford of Cabot, Shane (Celeste) Fairley of Jonesboro, and Paige (Trey) Talley of Mansfield, Texas; grandchildren, Malorie Smithson, Melissa Smithson, Sydney Bufford, Logan Bufford, Mason Newingham, Summer Finley, Camden Finley, Major Finley, Valen Finley, Carter Finley, Colten Finley, Julie Ann Finley, Griffin Talley, Elliott Talley, and Cooper Talley. Visitation will be held Friday, March 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 4 p.m., both at the College Church of Christ. Memorials can be made to any Harding University Scholarship Program, Sparrow's Promise (formerly Searcy Children's Home), and the American Heart Association. Cremation arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.