Finis Shelnutt

Finis Shelnutt, 74, of New Orleans Louisiana, left this world to return home on October 16, 2025.
Finis was born on October 1, 1951, in Benton, Arkansas, to Doyle and Emma Shelnutt. He was the youngest of four brothers - hence the name his mother chose for him: she was finished! Emma loved all of her children, but Finis prided himself on always being her baby.
Finis was a character and true fixture in the French Quarter, known by nearly all locals. His experiences and impact however span far beyond those lively blocks. Attempting to describe the life and lifestyle of Finis Shelnutt in written word is a truly impossible task - he lived an extraordinary life with stories that most would find hard to believe true - but for those closest to him, those stories were all but a very small glimpse at the man he really was.
Finis started Taekwondo at the age of 15 and earned his black belt in only 12 months. In 1973 he received his instructor certification, and on April 12, 1975, received his 3rd Degree Black Belt. He was one of three on the American Taekwondo Association's (ATA) first Black Belt Team and won numerous National Black Belt championships. Tammy (Harvey) Strauder described him as, "a fierce competitor, extraordinary technician, and a very gifted instructor."
In 1976, Finis married Sally (Ward) Smith. Finis never knew that he had a passion for horseback riding until he laid eyes upon Sally, who had grown up riding and showing horses. His competitive focus immediately shifted to catching up to Sally's horseback riding level. Anyone who knew Finis will tell you that absolutely nothing motivated him more than a beautiful woman! By 1980 Finis won the Arkansas State Horse Show against 66 other riders on "Miss Hankalia," who he trained. Finis and Sally shared 14 rich years together and brought two daughters into this world, Maria and Jennifer. Though their marriage ended in 1989 their friendship never did.
Finis was introduced to singer Gennifer Flowers in 1989 and the two married in 1996. Over the years, they built a life that took them from Little Rock to Denver, Las Vegas, and finally New Orleans in 1999. For 25 years, Finis thrived in stocks and bonds with Prudential Securities, earning his place among the firm's Top 100 producers in the 1990s. After moving to New Orleans, he shifted from finance to entrepreneurship, and launched the Gennifer Flowers Kelsto Club, a piano bar that he managed and she performed in. True to form, success followed him once again when he turned his focus to real estate and eventually founded Shelnutt Real Estate.
Finis loved all those in his family fiercely, and in his protective way, took under his wing his niece Chandra and his nephew Doyle when their fathers, his brothers, left this worldly life. He was as proud of them as he was either of his own children.
He always loved his daughters no matter what. When they were young, he would ask Maria to go out on the deck with him when grilling steaks so that they they could wave the lid to the grill in the air and blow "steak smoke signals" towards the neighbor's house to make them jealous. After all, his steaks were the best! He had such a spitfire in Jennifer when she was a toddler that he was once rendered defenseless while threatening to discipline her when she looked up and replied, "Not you, Cowboy!" Finis treated his daughters like they were his little buddies when they were young - riding 4 wheelers, horses, building lofts for them in the barn, and giggling as he chased them with cattle prods.
Finis had 3 grandchildren and adored them deeply. He was incredibly proud of his oldest granddaughter Kaelyn, for not only her accomplishments in life, but for her character, strength, and determination. He said that he'd never known a prettier red head. He often laughed as he imagined the sounds his parents would enjoy when he gave Matthew his first drum set for Christmas. He was absolutely enthralled by Ellie and her love of spaghetti & meatballs. His favorite story to share is about Ellie eating spaghetti - with her hands - "with no shame," he said.
He is survived by his two daughters, Maria Gray and Jennifer (David) Saltaformaggio; and his grandchildren, Kaelyn, Matthew, and Ellie.
He is preceded by his mother, Nancy Emogene "Emma" Shelnutt; his father, Doyle Alfred Shelnutt; and his four brothers, Alfred, Gary, and Tommy.
The family will have a private service, followed by a Celebration of Life Second Line to honor Finis and the life he lived. The Second Line will begin at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, October 28th in front of the Omni Royal Orleans at 621 St Louis Street in New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Louisiana SPCA or the Humane Society of Saline County, Arkansas on behalf of Finis Shelnutt.