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Dr. James Russell Finch Sr
Dr. James Russell Finch Sr
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James Finch Obituary
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Dr. Finch passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at his residence. He was born September 9, 1944, in Cullman County, to Willie Olin Finch and Maggie Stanford Finch.
Dr. Finch was a Baptist in his faith and was a United States Army Veteran. He also was a Director at Partlow State School, Director at Lurleen B. Wallace Center, and was the Director of Mental Health of North Alabama. Among his other accomplishments, he was a member of the Council for Exceptional Children American Association on Mental Deficiency, was a member of Kappa Delta Pi - Speech and Hearing Association, and was a licensed Audiologist. He was Commissioner of Mental Health of Arkansas under Bill Clinton, Superintendent of Belletontaine Rehabilitation Center and St. Louis Developmental Diabilities Treatment Center for the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities, Superintendent of Woodward Resource Center of the Iowa Department of Health Services, Facility Compliance and Quality Improvement @ DIDS and Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration of DIDS in Nashville, Tennessee.
Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers- Jack Finch and Flavious Finch, two daughters - Sarah Elizabeth Finch and Tracey Finch Smith, two sisters- Marie Finch Hamilton and Jean Finch and a nephew- Manly Finch.
Survivors include:
Wife - Peggy Lee Pratt Finch, Hartselle, AL,
Son - James Russell Finch, Jr., Old Hickory, TN,
Daughter - Katherine Finch Byrd , Hartselle, AL,
Six Grandchildren, and
One Great Grandchild,
Sister - Janice Finch Stewart, Birmingham, AL,
Pallbearers will be Brent Smith, Nick Heady, Greg Byrd, Russ Finch, Jerry Stewart and Jim Pratt.
Peck Funeral Home
1600 Hwy 31 SW
P.O. Box 427
Hartselle, AL 35640
256.773.2541
256.773.2543 (Fax)
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1600 Highway 31 P O Box 427, Hartselle, AL 35640
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