Denzel Ray Finney

1938 - 2023

Denzel Ray Finney, 85 a longtime Fort Sumner valley farmer and Muleshoe, Texas dairyman passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX following an illness. Denzel was born January 23, 1938 in Petersburg, Texas to the home of Armond Lee Finney and the former Willie Vicie Blakney. Denzel made Fort Sumner his home at age 14. He attended Fort Sumner Schools.
Denzel married the love of his life, Annie Mae Cones on July 28, 1955 in Farwell, Texas. Denzel worked with his brother in California in a metal building construction company. He returned to Fort Sumner in 1958 and continued the construction business. He became a full-time farmer in the Fort Sumner valley. Starting in the early 80's Denzel and Annie owned and operated De Baca Supply Company and Finney Farms. In 2004 the family began operation of the Track Dairy in Muleshoe, Texas. Denzel was a member of Dairy Farmers of America. According to Denzel's family, he never retired, his favorite pastime was driving by the farm fields watching his crops grow.
Denzel is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Alton Lester Finney, Kenneth Dale Finney, Kelly Eugene Finney, one sister Vonna Lee Gilbert, and a grandson Joshua Kenyon.
Denzel is survived by his wife of 68 years, Annie Mae Finney of the family home in the Fort Sumner valley, two daughters Darla Mae Teague (David) of Lubbock, TX, Peggy Sue Finney of Fort Sumner, three sons Herbert Ray Finney (Pauline) of Fort Sumner, Denzel Leroy Finney of Muleshoe, TX, Kelly Gene Finney of Fort Sumner, and one brother Larry Wayne Finney (Scharilyn) of Dewey, Oklahoma. Also surviving are numerous grandkids, nieces, nephews, good friends and neighbors.
Visitation hours will be Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 1pm to 6pm at Chavez Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, May 11, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Marvin Pounds officiating. Interment will follow in the Finney Family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Kirk Bryant, Joe Gammill, Clifford Gunn, Kenneth Morgan, Clifford Kenyon, and James West. Honorary bearers will be all his grandsons.
The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Denzel Finney to, Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119 or to St. Jude's Children's Home.
To sign the guestbook or share a favorite memory with Denzel's family, please go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.