Raymond R. Finlinson

Raymond R. Finlinson Monday, June 18, 2007, Raymond R. Finlinson completed his mortal sojourn and returned home to a loving Heavenly Father, friends, and family. After an extended period of physical incapacity, he has finally regained full faculty in preparation for the second mission that he has so long anticipated.
Raymond was born in Oak City, Utah, February 28, 1921, the son of Ray Finlinson and Frankie Roper Finlinson. At a young age his gregarious nature turned his interests away from the routine of agricultural pursuits, which seemed to be his destiny, toward a series of adventures that would consume the rest of his life. After graduating from Delta High School, in 1939, he attended the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah. When called, he accepted the assignment to serve the Lord as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Spanish American Mission. His facility for language developed during that time and his eventual mastery of Spanish has served him well through out the rest of his life. World War II required sacrifices of everyone, and Raymond was no exception. Anticipating the need to serve his country, he joined the Merchant Marines and completed several tours of duty. While on leave from his service responsibilities, he fell in love with his eternal companion, Mary Maxyne Bliss, and after a whirlwind romance they were married in the Salt Lake LDS temple on February 2, 1944.
He is a man of many talents with a heart of gold. In his latter years he particularly enjoyed fixing up derelict bicycles for the grand kids and neighborhood children. He loved his own children and spoke frequently of their accomplishments. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Maxyne Bliss Finlinson, and four siblings; Reece, Phil, Julian and Burnis. He is also preceded in death by a son; Raymond Wyatt. He is survived by five siblings: Norine Shipley (South Jordan, Utah), Georgia Whatcott (Palmerine, Arizona), Bryce R. Finlinson (Lemington, Utah), Paul R. Finlinson (Lemington, Utah), and George Garth Finlinson (Oak City, Utah). He is also survived by three children: Dawn Niemann (Orem, Utah), Norman Bliss Finlinson (Payson, Utah) and Lloyd Finlinson (Orem, Utah), sixteen Grandchildren and twenty-five Great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in the Oak City Chapel, Oak City, Utah, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 22, 2007. A Viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. prior to the funeral. Special thanks to the wonderful nurses and staff of the Alpine Care Center. Online condolences may be placed at www.serenicare.com.