Earl R. Finley

Earl R. Finley, 91, of Sedalia, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

He was born May 16, 1930, in St. Louis, MO, a son of George Cecil and Cannis Ruth (Morgan) Finley.

Earl honorably served in the United States Marine Corps and was a member of the First Christian Church in Sedalia.  He was also a member of the Sedalia Lions Club, MSTA (Missouri State Teachers Association), lifetime member of MASA (Missouri Association of School Administrators), and the University of Missouri Alumni Association.  Throughout his years in education Earl served in many roles from being a Teacher, Coach, and Principal, at Smith – Cotton High School, and Assistant Superintendent in Sedalia, and then retiring as Superintendent of the Knob Noster School District.  Earl also served as Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and was on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Therapy Center.  He enjoyed playing golf and oil painting.

Survivors include his wife, Glenda; three children, Julie Clawson (Ron) of Warrensburg, Jim Finley of Liberty, and Dana Cass (Kirby) of La Monte; Glenda’s son, Justin Davis (Betty) of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren, Rod Clawson (Valerie), Matt Clawson (Shannon), Kyle Finley, Kirk Finley, Brian Cass (Kacie), and Darby Lewis (Jacob); Glenda’s granddaughter, Riley Davis; five great-grandchildren, Lucas, Vivienne, Jackson and Olivia Clawson, and Hadley Cass.

In addition to both of his parents Earl was preceded in death by his first wife Judith Ann Finley; two brothers, Ralph and Paul Finley.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until memorial services at Noon on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the First Christian Church in Sedalia with Rev. Dr. Chad McMullin officiating.  Inurnment to follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the Sedalia School District Foundation for the Earl R. Finley Scholarship.