John Finley McRae

Dr. John Finley McRae, Jr. was born on December 11, 1934 in the midst of a snow storm in Mobile, Alabama. His parents were John Finley McRae and Lucille Thompson McRae.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hunt McRae (Bette) and children John Finley McRae III (Kate), Albion, Michigan; Christopher Colin McRae, Mobile, Alabama; Percival Hunter Faulconer III (Frances), Birmingham, Alabama; Anne Faulconer Case (John), Birmingham, Alabama; and George Colin McRae (Amanda), Eutaw, Alabama. Grandchildren: Lucille Margaret McRae Oliviera (Andre), Michael Duncan McRae, Blaine Duncan Crupi McRae, Alexander Keene McRae (Elizabeth), Malcolm Wellman McRae (Anya), Charlotte Rainier McRae, Helen Bradley McRae, Mikiel Barry McRae, Percival Hunter Faulconer IV, Elizabeth Drake Faulconer, Frances Parker Faulconer, Elizabeth Hunt Case, John Porter Case IV, George Colin McRae Jr., Montana Rose McRae. Great Grandchild: Zinnia B. McRae.

He is pre-deceased by his son, William Barry McRae (Lesley McRae-Sharpe), and his sisters- Mary Duncan McRae Tonsmeire and Jean McRae Bailey.

Dr. McRae attended University Military School, Mobile, Alabama, The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he received the Hill School Alumni Cup for the best general record in the graduating class. He attended Princeton University, where he was a member of the Cottage Club and was the top player on the golf team. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University Medical School and interned at Montreal General Hospital in Montreal, Canada. He completed a combined program in neurological surgery at Tulane University and Ochsner Foundation Hospital, where he remained on staff until interrupted by two years of service in the United States Medical Corps at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1968, he returned to Alabama, where he served as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine. In 1970, he joined the private practice of Neurosurgical Associates at St. Vincent's Hospital, where he received the Doctor of the Year award. He remained at St. Vincent's until his retirement in 2005.

Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, he was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Christian Medical Society, and a member of various other neurosurgical societies. Dr. McRae served on the boards of the Bruised Reed Foundation, JH Ranch, Outback America, and the True Vine Foundation. With his wife, Bette, he established the True Vine Foundation, a Christian ministry, in 1998.

Finley was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved the Lord and was happy to share with the many who sought his wisdom. He was an avid fly fisherman, having fished all over the world, a scratch golfer, an accomplished snow skier, and an enthusiastic turkey hunter.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the family cemetery at the True Vine Foundation, McRae Farm, 260 Vineyard Lane, Highway 14 East, Airport Road, Eutaw, Alabama. Pastor Jon Potter and Pastor Pam Hanes will be officiating and Magnolia Chapel North will be directing.

Pallbearers are Michael Duncan McRae, Blaine Duncan Crupi McRae, Alexander Keene McRae, Malcolm Wellman McRae, Percival Hunter Faulconer IV, John Porter Case IV, George Colin McRae Jr, and Burgett Tonsmeire.