Lester Fincher

Lester “Ray” Fincher, 95, of Bryan, Texas, passed away on June 4, 2019.

The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 11, 2019, in Burton Texas at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2019, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, Texas 77833.

Ray was born in Burton, Texas on Nov. 23, 1923. He graduated from Brenham High School and received an engineering degree from Texas A&M University/class of 1945.

Ray played football for Brenham High School before serving in the U.S. Army during WWII. One of the highlights of his life was parachuting out of a helicopter dressed as Santa Claus to deliver packages to the fellow recruits. After serving his time in the Army and graduating with honors from A&M, Ray was hired as a mechanical engineer for ExxonMobile where he served dutifully for 45 years. During his time at ExxonMobile, Ray created several inventions. In his spare time being the engineer he was, he single-handedly built a beautiful wooden ski boat from scratch and took the family on a ski trip to Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. In addition to building boats, Ray also built several trailers to haul inventory for his business working with his Fincher Brothers Cattle Co.

After Ray retired from Exxon, he became a full-time cattle rancher on his Brenham land. Later in life, Ray developed a love for travel and went to Germany during Octoberfest. His next vacation was a bus trip where he met his lady friend Charlotte. They really enjoyed going on bus tours and seeing the sights of the great vast wilderness of America together. When not travelling, Ray lived the retirement life in Brenham, operating his tractor, stocking his pond with catfish, growing vegetables in his garden and fruit trees that he planted. Another of his favorite pastimes was watching animals out on his ranch, and trying to save his precious vegetables from the wildlife.

At 90, after the death of his only daughter Sandra Lynn Fincher, Ray decided to sell his pasture land to retire to a quiet life in Bryan with his 2 dogs Brandy and Lil Bit. Sandra was born Jan. 2, 1964, in Grand Isle, Louisiana, the only child of Ray and Evelyn (Knebel) Fincher. Sandra died after a battle with cancer on Nov. 20, 2013.

Ray is survived by his brother, Thomas “Buddy” Roscoe’s daughters, Sonjia, Terry, Missy, Jeanne, his brother Harold’s daughter Kay, 6 grand nieces, 2 grand nephews and all their husbands, wives and children. Ray will be missed by his lady friend Charlotte Price and her family and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Thomas “Roscoe” Fincher and Celestine Moeller Fincher, his daughter Sandra Lynn Fincher and her mother Evelyn Knebel Fincher, his brothers Thomas “Buddy” Roscoe Fincher Jr. , Harold Fincher , Harold’s wife Sarah Fincher and their daughter Carol Ann Rodabaugh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Senior Activity Center, 1301 East Tom Green, Brenham, Texas 77833, Attention: Toy Kurtz or call 979-836-6552. Luke 23.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham.

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