Tributes

Fincke, Eugene Julius, age 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 15, 2009 in his home at Morningside Meadows retirement community in San Antonio, Texas. Beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was born September 25, 1918 in Camp Stanley, Texas to Ervin Fincke and Louise Moreau Fincke. A life-long San Antonio, Texas resident, Eugene along with his brothers Rudolph and Ralph served in World War II with Eugene serving in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater from October 1944 through February 1946. Upon returning from serving his nation he worked for the San Antonio Police Department as a Electronic Technician for 43 years before retiring. In his younger years he was an excellent athlete, baseball player, avid hunter and fisherman. Deeply religious and devoted to serving his church, Bethany Presbyterian Church, he was a deacon and elder. He was a life-member Past Master Mason, Past Worshipful Master of Bluebonnet Lodge #1219 and an endowed, 32° member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. He neither asked for nor sought recognition for his many acts of charity, benevolence and kindness. A self-made man with integrity, character, warmth and humor, in his later life he enjoyed traveling with his Good Sam Club, playing cards with his friends, being with his family and supporting his church. He made the world a better place for those who had the good fortune to know him. He was preceded in death his by brothers Rudolph Fincke of Uvalde, Texas and Ralph Fincke of Bertram, Texas; his sister, Ethel Fincke Needham of San Antonio, Texas; his first wife of 48 years, Opal Fay Thornsberry Fincke of Leslie, Arkansas, who died in 1988; son, Glen Ervin Fincke, who died in 1953; and second wife, Mary Schlichting Fincke of San Antonio, Texas, who died in 2003. Survivors include his son, Dale Eugene Fincke and wife Susan of Alexandria, Virginia; Grandsons Dale Eugene Fincke, Jr., of Amarillo, Texas and Christopher Stephen Fincke of Mansfield, Texas; two great grandchildren - Carla Christine Fincke and Christopher Nicholas Fincke of Mansfield, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Other Survivors include step-daughters by his second wife: Karen Schlichting Young and husband John of New Braunfels, Texas, Debbie Schlichting Georgacakis and husband Deno of Spring Branch, Texas, Gail Schlichting Saunders and husband Larry of San Antonio, Texas; step son Jeff Schlichting of Austin Texas; and many great step-grandchildren. The Fincke family will receive friends at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2009. The funeral service will be held at on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Bethany Presbyterian Church with interment following at Mission Burial Park South.

Tributes

Eugene J. Fincke

September 25, 1918 - May 16, 2009