Donald Ray Finch, 88 years old, of Nixon, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Don was born in Houston, Texas on February 1, 1938. His parents were Barney Ray Finch and Alta Marie Chessher. The family, along with his older sister, JoAnn, moved to Cuero when Don had just turned four years old. Gary Patrick, Don’s brother, was born seven years later. The Finch family were faithful members of the First Baptist Church.

Don reached his age of accountability and made his public acceptance of Christ when he eight years old. He was baptized by his Pastor, Dr. Ben M. David. All twelve years of his public education took place in the Cuero Public School System. He finished his senior year in 1956 as the President of his class. Donald continued his education at the University of Texas, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration. He also attended Commonwealth College of Sciences in Houston to obtain his Funeral Director and Embalmer Licenses. He purchased his first funeral home three and a half months before he finished his college work. Throughout his college years, Don served in the United States National Guard for six years and received his honorable discharge in 1961. Don married Charlotte Gladyne Hewell on June 20, 1964.

Don is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Gladyne; two sons: Troy Finch and his fiancé, Tanya McMeans, and Todd Finch and his wife, Allison; four grandchildren: Trevor, Benjamin, Claire Finch and Taylor Pavlas and husband Tyler; and one great grandson: Wren Pavlas; and soon to be great granddaughter: Noah Pavlas; his sister: JoAnn Markowsky; nieces: Vicki Markowsky, Chelsea Silay, Dawn Blackman and Lori Homeyer; nephews: Craig Couch and Jarrett Finch.

Don was a licensed funeral director for 66 years, along with being a cattle rancher for 37 years. He was a member of the South-Central Texas Funeral Directors Association, Member of the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Member of Masonic Lodge, a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Nixon, Member of the American Legion and was very active in the Nixon community. For the past 21 years, he and Gladyne have been faithful and active members of the Nixon Methodist Church.

Preceded in death by his parents: Barney Ray Finch and Alta Marie Chessher, brother: Gary Finch; nephew: Mark Markowsky and daughter-in-law: Janet Finch. Funeral Service will be held at the Nixon Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 1:00pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00pm, with the Interment at the Nixon Cemetery. Reception will be held at the RCC Center.

In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, family asked donations to be made to the Nixon Methodist Church or the Nixon Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by the Finch Funeral Chapels, LLC in Nixon.