Gary D. Finkas
Gary D. Finkas, longtime resident of Toutle, was born Sept. 11, 1948, in Longview, and passed away Dec. 23, 2011, at the age of 63.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his parents, Roy and Janice (Fiest) Finkas; three daughters, Heather, Hannah and Hayley; two sisters, Susan (Milton) Wheeler of Toutle and Dixie (Allen) Gould of Castle Rock; three aunts, Ruby Bond of Castle Rock, Florence Latham of Longview and Donna Fiest of Toutle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gary attended Toutle Lake for elementary, junior, and senior high school, then attended Centralia College and graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in elementary education in 1970. Throughout his teaching career, Gary taught at Toledo, Kelso, and Toutle Lake school districts. He was a well-respected educator and co-worker, and was both a friend and a mentor to many.
As an innovative thinker and hands-on educator focused on "building a solid foundation," Gary extended his teaching well beyond the classroom walls. Students will remember Gary's classroom log cabin projects (which were often displayed, donated, and raffled to earn funds for the annual sixth grade Canada trip), can crushing contests, the six lap "enduro," and the four-letter word game.
In 1983, Gary married Marcia Mongrain of Ridgefield, Wash., a fellow educator in the Kelso School district, and moved into a hand-built log home in Toutle where they raised three daughters. Gary had the opportunity throughout his years of teaching to have all of his daughters in class at Toutle Lake Elementary before he retired in 2001 after 30 years.
Friends and family of Gary remember his dedication to teaching and his intense pride in his three daughters. Whether it be teaching them to fish along the Cowlitz, training cattle for the fair in 4-H, teaching them to drive a stick-shift in the old farm truck, or taking them to their first day of college, Gary was a father willing to do anything for his girls — and he reveled in every moment. This summer he walked his middle daughter, Hannah, down the aisle and welcomed a son-in-law, Adam Ganders into his family — a moment he was proud of and held dear to his heart.
Gary loved the outdoors and once described his perfect day as, "dig a clam in the morning, catch a steelhead at noon, and shoot an elk in the evening." Gary enjoyed spending time at Copalis Beach, and rarely missed a clam dig. Gary was also a deeply involved community member, volunteering his time with several groups, including the Cowlitz County Weed Control Board, Harry Gardner Park Committee, and running the shot clock at Toutle Lake High School basketball games.
Gary will be remembered for being a fiercely loyal and genuinely selfless father, husband, brother, son, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.
A celebration of his life is planned for 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Toutle Lake High School Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be set up through the Toutle Lake School District in Gary's name.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, Tumwater, Wash.
Posted in Obituaries, Recent_deaths on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:41 am The Longview Daily News
Gary D. Finkas, longtime resident of Toutle, was born Sept. 11, 1948, in Longview, and passed away Dec. 23, 2011, at the age of 63.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his parents, Roy and Janice (Fiest) Finkas; three daughters, Heather, Hannah and Hayley; two sisters, Susan (Milton) Wheeler of Toutle and Dixie (Allen) Gould of Castle Rock; three aunts, Ruby Bond of Castle Rock, Florence Latham of Longview and Donna Fiest of Toutle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gary attended Toutle Lake for elementary, junior, and senior high school, then attended Centralia College and graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in elementary education in 1970. Throughout his teaching career, Gary taught at Toledo, Kelso, and Toutle Lake school districts. He was a well-respected educator and co-worker, and was both a friend and a mentor to many.
As an innovative thinker and hands-on educator focused on "building a solid foundation," Gary extended his teaching well beyond the classroom walls. Students will remember Gary's classroom log cabin projects (which were often displayed, donated, and raffled to earn funds for the annual sixth grade Canada trip), can crushing contests, the six lap "enduro," and the four-letter word game.
In 1983, Gary married Marcia Mongrain of Ridgefield, Wash., a fellow educator in the Kelso School district, and moved into a hand-built log home in Toutle where they raised three daughters. Gary had the opportunity throughout his years of teaching to have all of his daughters in class at Toutle Lake Elementary before he retired in 2001 after 30 years.
Friends and family of Gary remember his dedication to teaching and his intense pride in his three daughters. Whether it be teaching them to fish along the Cowlitz, training cattle for the fair in 4-H, teaching them to drive a stick-shift in the old farm truck, or taking them to their first day of college, Gary was a father willing to do anything for his girls — and he reveled in every moment. This summer he walked his middle daughter, Hannah, down the aisle and welcomed a son-in-law, Adam Ganders into his family — a moment he was proud of and held dear to his heart.
Gary loved the outdoors and once described his perfect day as, "dig a clam in the morning, catch a steelhead at noon, and shoot an elk in the evening." Gary enjoyed spending time at Copalis Beach, and rarely missed a clam dig. Gary was also a deeply involved community member, volunteering his time with several groups, including the Cowlitz County Weed Control Board, Harry Gardner Park Committee, and running the shot clock at Toutle Lake High School basketball games.
Gary will be remembered for being a fiercely loyal and genuinely selfless father, husband, brother, son, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.
A celebration of his life is planned for 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Toutle Lake High School Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be set up through the Toutle Lake School District in Gary's name.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, Tumwater, Wash.
Posted in Obituaries, Recent_deaths on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:41 am The Longview Daily News
Gary D. Finkas
Gary D. Finkas, longtime resident of Toutle, was born Sept. 11, 1948, in Longview, and passed away Dec. 23, 2011, at the age of 63.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his parents, Roy and Janice (Fiest) Finkas; three daughters, Heather, Hannah and Hayley; two sisters, Susan (Milton) Wheeler of Toutle and Dixie (Allen) Gould of Castle Rock; three aunts, Ruby Bond of Castle Rock, Florence Latham of Longview and Donna Fiest of Toutle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gary attended Toutle Lake for elementary, junior, and senior high school, then attended Centralia College and graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in elementary education in 1970. Throughout his teaching career, Gary taught at Toledo, Kelso, and Toutle Lake school districts. He was a well-respected educator and co-worker, and was both a friend and a mentor to many.
As an innovative thinker and hands-on educator focused on "building a solid foundation," Gary extended his teaching well beyond the classroom walls. Students will remember Gary's classroom log cabin projects (which were often displayed, donated, and raffled to earn funds for the annual sixth grade Canada trip), can crushing contests, the six lap "enduro," and the four-letter word game.
In 1983, Gary married Marcia Mongrain of Ridgefield, Wash., a fellow educator in the Kelso School district, and moved into a hand-built log home in Toutle where they raised three daughters. Gary had the opportunity throughout his years of teaching to have all of his daughters in class at Toutle Lake Elementary before he retired in 2001 after 30 years.
Friends and family of Gary remember his dedication to teaching and his intense pride in his three daughters. Whether it be teaching them to fish along the Cowlitz, training cattle for the fair in 4-H, teaching them to drive a stick-shift in the old farm truck, or taking them to their first day of college, Gary was a father willing to do anything for his girls — and he reveled in every moment. This summer he walked his middle daughter, Hannah, down the aisle and welcomed a son-in-law, Adam Ganders into his family — a moment he was proud of and held dear to his heart.
Gary loved the outdoors and once described his perfect day as, "dig a clam in the morning, catch a steelhead at noon, and shoot an elk in the evening." Gary enjoyed spending time at Copalis Beach, and rarely missed a clam dig. Gary was also a deeply involved community member, volunteering his time with several groups, including the Cowlitz County Weed Control Board, Harry Gardner Park Committee, and running the shot clock at Toutle Lake High School basketball games.
Gary will be remembered for being a fiercely loyal and genuinely selfless father, husband, brother, son, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.
A celebration of his life is planned for 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Toutle Lake High School Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be set up through the Toutle Lake School District in Gary's name.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, Tumwater, Wash.
Posted in Obituaries, Recent_deaths on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:41 am The Longview Daily News
Gary D. Finkas, longtime resident of Toutle, was born Sept. 11, 1948, in Longview, and passed away Dec. 23, 2011, at the age of 63.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his parents, Roy and Janice (Fiest) Finkas; three daughters, Heather, Hannah and Hayley; two sisters, Susan (Milton) Wheeler of Toutle and Dixie (Allen) Gould of Castle Rock; three aunts, Ruby Bond of Castle Rock, Florence Latham of Longview and Donna Fiest of Toutle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gary attended Toutle Lake for elementary, junior, and senior high school, then attended Centralia College and graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in elementary education in 1970. Throughout his teaching career, Gary taught at Toledo, Kelso, and Toutle Lake school districts. He was a well-respected educator and co-worker, and was both a friend and a mentor to many.
As an innovative thinker and hands-on educator focused on "building a solid foundation," Gary extended his teaching well beyond the classroom walls. Students will remember Gary's classroom log cabin projects (which were often displayed, donated, and raffled to earn funds for the annual sixth grade Canada trip), can crushing contests, the six lap "enduro," and the four-letter word game.
In 1983, Gary married Marcia Mongrain of Ridgefield, Wash., a fellow educator in the Kelso School district, and moved into a hand-built log home in Toutle where they raised three daughters. Gary had the opportunity throughout his years of teaching to have all of his daughters in class at Toutle Lake Elementary before he retired in 2001 after 30 years.
Friends and family of Gary remember his dedication to teaching and his intense pride in his three daughters. Whether it be teaching them to fish along the Cowlitz, training cattle for the fair in 4-H, teaching them to drive a stick-shift in the old farm truck, or taking them to their first day of college, Gary was a father willing to do anything for his girls — and he reveled in every moment. This summer he walked his middle daughter, Hannah, down the aisle and welcomed a son-in-law, Adam Ganders into his family — a moment he was proud of and held dear to his heart.
Gary loved the outdoors and once described his perfect day as, "dig a clam in the morning, catch a steelhead at noon, and shoot an elk in the evening." Gary enjoyed spending time at Copalis Beach, and rarely missed a clam dig. Gary was also a deeply involved community member, volunteering his time with several groups, including the Cowlitz County Weed Control Board, Harry Gardner Park Committee, and running the shot clock at Toutle Lake High School basketball games.
Gary will be remembered for being a fiercely loyal and genuinely selfless father, husband, brother, son, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.
A celebration of his life is planned for 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Toutle Lake High School Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be set up through the Toutle Lake School District in Gary's name.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, Tumwater, Wash.
Posted in Obituaries, Recent_deaths on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:41 am The Longview Daily News
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