Sunrise: October 12, 1935
Sunset: June 15, 2025
Sunset: June 15, 2025
Inurnment
Sunday, June 22, 2025
11:15 a.m.
St. James Episcopal Church
417 Olive Street
Texarkana, Texas
After battling Parkinson's disorder for years, Edwin Britton Finn of Texarkana, Texas, died Sunday, June 15, 2025, in a local nursing home. He was 89 years old.
He was born to Claude Errol Finn, Sr. and Abilene Sisco Finn on October 12, 1935, in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Ed, as he was known by many, graduated from then segregated Booker T. Washington High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical & Normal College (AAM & C, today, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff) where he played football.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, both active duty and reserve. While in the Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he met his future wife, Shirley Sharpe, a highly skilled operating room nurse who was captivated by his smooth dancing and personal charm. Following his release from the Marines, he and Shirley were married in an Episcopal ceremony in North Carolina in 1963.
Soon afterwards, they drove to Texarkana, where they were to spend the rest of their married life and where Shirley, to become Dr. Shirley Finn, eventually retired as Director of Nursing at Texarkana College and Ed retired from Cooper Tire.
On the way to retirement, they took pride in the son Mike's athletic prowess, first recognized at Liberty Eylau High School and later with the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns, NFL and European Pro Teams.
Both retired, they moved to the Dallas area to be close to son, Michael and family. But soon their planned "Golden Years" darkened. Shirley died unexpectantly. Later Ed moved back to Texarkana to deal with a diagnosis of Parkinson's as it gradually but inevitably forced him into a nursing home and eventually robbed him of freedom of movement, the power of speech, and ultimately his life.
Ed's family and friends wish to extend a warm "thank-you" to the staff and administrators of the Avir at Cowhorn Creek Nursing Home (formerly The Waterton) for their devoted care of Ed over the years.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dr. Shirley Finn, and his sisters, Maxine Hodge, and Gwendolyn Nelson.
He is survived by his only son, Edwin Micheal " Mike" Finn (wife Janet) of Waxahachie, Texas. Grandchildren, Reginald Curry, Sr. (step-grandson), Brittnei Finn, Kayla Finn, and Jasmine Finn. Great-grandchildren Reginald Curry, Jr., Johnathan Finn, and twins Denzel Whitehead and Denver Whitehead. His older brother, Claude Finn, Jr. of Oakland, California. Other relatives, including nephews, Claude Finn, lll of Sacramento, California, and Reggie Nelson of Frisco, Texas.
Years before his death, Ed chose cremation, with arrangements with Jones Stuart Mortuary.
His ashes are to reside next to those of his beloved Shirley in the Columbarium at St. James Episcopal Church at 417 Olive Street, Texarkana, Texas.
A ceremony at the St. James Episcopal Church Columbarium is scheduled at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 22, 2025, following the 10:00 a.m. services. Anyone may attend the ceremony presided over by Father David Holt and is welcome to attend the regular service at 10:00 and stay for the placing of the cremains or attend only the 11:15 ceremony, as they choose.
Anyone wishing to memorialize Ed Finn may do with a contribution in his name to St. James Episcopal Church, 417 Olive Street, Texarkana, Texas 75501, or to a non-profit of their choice.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
11:15 a.m.
St. James Episcopal Church
417 Olive Street
Texarkana, Texas
After battling Parkinson's disorder for years, Edwin Britton Finn of Texarkana, Texas, died Sunday, June 15, 2025, in a local nursing home. He was 89 years old.
He was born to Claude Errol Finn, Sr. and Abilene Sisco Finn on October 12, 1935, in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Ed, as he was known by many, graduated from then segregated Booker T. Washington High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical & Normal College (AAM & C, today, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff) where he played football.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, both active duty and reserve. While in the Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he met his future wife, Shirley Sharpe, a highly skilled operating room nurse who was captivated by his smooth dancing and personal charm. Following his release from the Marines, he and Shirley were married in an Episcopal ceremony in North Carolina in 1963.
Soon afterwards, they drove to Texarkana, where they were to spend the rest of their married life and where Shirley, to become Dr. Shirley Finn, eventually retired as Director of Nursing at Texarkana College and Ed retired from Cooper Tire.
On the way to retirement, they took pride in the son Mike's athletic prowess, first recognized at Liberty Eylau High School and later with the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns, NFL and European Pro Teams.
Both retired, they moved to the Dallas area to be close to son, Michael and family. But soon their planned "Golden Years" darkened. Shirley died unexpectantly. Later Ed moved back to Texarkana to deal with a diagnosis of Parkinson's as it gradually but inevitably forced him into a nursing home and eventually robbed him of freedom of movement, the power of speech, and ultimately his life.
Ed's family and friends wish to extend a warm "thank-you" to the staff and administrators of the Avir at Cowhorn Creek Nursing Home (formerly The Waterton) for their devoted care of Ed over the years.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dr. Shirley Finn, and his sisters, Maxine Hodge, and Gwendolyn Nelson.
He is survived by his only son, Edwin Micheal " Mike" Finn (wife Janet) of Waxahachie, Texas. Grandchildren, Reginald Curry, Sr. (step-grandson), Brittnei Finn, Kayla Finn, and Jasmine Finn. Great-grandchildren Reginald Curry, Jr., Johnathan Finn, and twins Denzel Whitehead and Denver Whitehead. His older brother, Claude Finn, Jr. of Oakland, California. Other relatives, including nephews, Claude Finn, lll of Sacramento, California, and Reggie Nelson of Frisco, Texas.
Years before his death, Ed chose cremation, with arrangements with Jones Stuart Mortuary.
His ashes are to reside next to those of his beloved Shirley in the Columbarium at St. James Episcopal Church at 417 Olive Street, Texarkana, Texas.
A ceremony at the St. James Episcopal Church Columbarium is scheduled at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 22, 2025, following the 10:00 a.m. services. Anyone may attend the ceremony presided over by Father David Holt and is welcome to attend the regular service at 10:00 and stay for the placing of the cremains or attend only the 11:15 ceremony, as they choose.
Anyone wishing to memorialize Ed Finn may do with a contribution in his name to St. James Episcopal Church, 417 Olive Street, Texarkana, Texas 75501, or to a non-profit of their choice.
