Obituary of Donald Ramon Finders

DONALD RAMON FINDERS March 13, 1931 ~ May 14, 2014 Donald Ramon Finders, 83, passed away peacefully at his home on May 14 with his beloved family tending and caring for him as he had done for them his entire life. Don was born in Ferguson, Iowa on March 13, 1931 to Carl Finders and Helen Large. Shortly following high school graduation, he enlisted and proudly served his country in the USAF with assignments to Eglin AFB, Florida and Thule Air Station, Greenland. Shortly after leaving the service, he married the true love of his life, Elaine Maxine Barnes on February 5, 1956. Following a short-lived residency in California, they adopted two children; Tami and Shane Finders and moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1968. Don was the long-time manager of Ray Lumber and ultimately enabled much of the city construction during his tenure. He was also a founding/lifetime member and ultimately, President of the LHC Sportsman Club as well as a committed instructor assigned to the Arizona Firearm Safety Association. His true passion was airplane restoration and was a devout aircrew-member of the Mesa-based Commemorative Air Force, ultimately traveling thousands of miles annually to offer his talents repairing and operating the World War II B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey." Don was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother, Dick Finders of Phoenix, Arizona. Don is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Tami and fiancé Richard White of LHC, his son Shane and wife Christi Finders of Bossier City, Louisiana and his brother Jerold Finders of Minden, Nevada. Don and Elaine Finders raised a large, loving, close-knit family including ten wonderful grandchildren and four precious great-grandchildren. Per his request, there will be no services, but asked that donations be made to Beacon of Hope Hospice due to their exceptional care and compassion. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Don's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.