Solon Dee Finley Jr.

1944 - 2018

Dee Solon Finley, Jr FORT WORTH -- Dee Solon Finley, Jr. died peacefully Wednesday, May 9, 2018. FUNERAL: 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15 at Christ Chapel, followed by a reception at Colonial Country Club. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. If you do not have a charity of choice, please consider James L. West Alzheimer's Center or Community Hospice of Texas. Dee was born in Fort Worth on Dec. 11, 1944, to Dee S. and Marjorie Culbertson Finley. He graduated from Paschal High School in 1963. An avid golfer from a young age, he won the City Junior Golf Championship in 1963 (brother, Bob was his caddie) and with his father, won the Father-Son tournament at Colonial Country Club five years in a row. Dee was a lifelong supporter of his alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1967. This is where he met his wife, Rebecca Groner Finley (Becky). He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and the UT Men's Golf team, a UT Letterman, and awarded a scholarship from coach Harvey Penick. Dee and Becky married in 1969. Following graduation from UT Law School in 1970, they returned to his hometown of Fort Worth, where he began his law career. In 1977, he founded the law firm, Harris, Finley & Bogle, with his dear friend and mentor, Charles Harris. He stayed active in the community throughout his entire adult life, serving numerous organizations over the decades. He enjoyed his many years of involvement with the PGA tournament at Colonial, serving as Chairman during 2002 to 2004, where he had the honor of inviting Annika Sorenstam to compete. He was also honored to serve on the Board of Trustees of Baylor Health System, and gave much of his time to HOPE Farm, an organization that guides at-risk boys to become Christ-centered men of integrity. Dee served as Chairman of the Deacons at Broadway Baptist Church and devoted many years to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Ace, as he was called by his grandchildren, enjoyed spending time in Crested Butte, traveling with his family and road trips with his wife. He passed on his sense of humor and love of music to all of his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Patrick. SURVIVORS: Wife, Becky; three children, Erin Lee (Randy) of Fort Worth, Sarah Finley of Austin and Ross Finley (Amy) of McKinney; four grandchildren, Janie Catherine and Griff Lee, Ransom and London Finley; brother, Robert (Harriet); and several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.