Richard Ray Finlayson

Richard Ray Finlayson, born December 20, 1927, passed peacefully on November 2, 2018 at The Terraces Health Center in Phoenix, AZ. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife Betty Lorraine; daughter LaVonne Marrell and son-in-law Jerry Marrell; sons Lynn Simonson and Rick Finlayson; grandchildren Nicole Gil, Levi Gil, Nathan Simonson and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by four siblings Ellarene, Bertha, Lawrence and Russell Finlayson and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter Cindy, grandson Jonathan Duzik; siblings Betty, Roy and Rocky Finlayson and his parents Josephine and Marshall.

Richard was born, raised and educated in Great Falls, Montana. He entered the Navy, where he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Richard was a proud Veteran of the Korean War and World War II. He had the distinct honor of being invited to Arlington National Cemetery, along with fellow Veterans on the Wyoming Honor Flight in 2011.

After his service in the Navy, Richard married Betty Evenson in 1954 and remained happily married for nearly 65 years. They raised their family in Wyoming and after retirement, they acquired a winter residence in Arizona, where he and Betty became “snowbirds” and lived 5 months each winter. During his career, Richard worked in the Oil Business and then for FMC for 30 years. After retirement, Richard stayed active in the community. He helped build the Trinity Lutheran Church in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Richard was a great outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a lifetime member of NRA. Amongst his interests, Richard and Betty had a love of travel and had many wonderful experiences traveling the world as well a visiting most of the United States.

Richard will be remembered for his dedication to service, his outstanding character, generosity, his intellect and a keen sense of humor. He was a great storyteller who always had a story to tell. He will be greatly missed but will in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.