Harold 'Hal' Finley

Harold Oliver Finley (Hal) was born in Wisp, Arkansas on February 20, 1943 and passed away at home in Plano, Texas on July 31, 2015. His struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) was long and difficult, and he handled it with his usual grace and good nature. Hal's mother Pauline gave him his thick dark hair and raised Hal and his two wonderful older brothers Don and Dean in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. He was president of the high school class and a star basketball player- according to Hal, all the girls were crazy about him and we have no doubt it was true! A number of cousins and family members still live in Arkansas and one of Hal's delights was travelling to Mammoth Spring for fishing and the annual family reunions. You could not find better people anywhere. In the sixties, Hal moved to Hawaii and lived an idyllic life for a number of years - attending university, performing in theater, making lifelong friends and living a laidback lifestyle that suited him well. Unfortunately, war intervened and he was sent to Vietnam, where he served his country as a medic. Sadly, the Vietnam experience also caused health problems when he was older. Hal loved theater and performed in many different places but beginning in the 1980's most frequently at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Dallas, where he was an actor, director, and stage manager. His first performance at the PST was as the lead in "Catch Me If You Can". Hal's dashing good looks and charm caught the attention of many of the female cast and staff, in particular Shawn Dickinson, who decided she better move fast. In 1985 Hal and Shawn had an excellent adventure and moved to Seattle where they lived happily by the ocean and mountains. While in Seattle they were blessed with Weslea Rose and after moving back to Texas Mailea joined the family. Hal was a wonderful father and gave his daughters the gifts of reading, fishing, camping, theater, basketball, mythology, chess, storytelling, and road trips all over the country. Hal was a man with a curious mind and many interests. He was an avid reader and was seldom seen without a book in his hand. He was a Native American historian and had a true affinity for their plight, both past and present. Before his illness progressed, Hal also enjoyed long walks and annual visits to the horse races in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Survivors include Hal's wife and daughters; brothers Don and Dean and their wives Marilyn and Elaine; sisters-in-law Shanon and Meghan and their cohorts Bob and Tim; brother-in-law Brad and his wife Louisa; nieces Maressa, Erica, Courtney and Savanah; nephews Parker, Skyler, Ethan and Grayson; cousins Danny, Sandy, Mary and Laurie; and many other dear cousins, relatives, castmates and friends. Many thanks and love to caregivers Miatta, Miste, Leslie and Meghan, who devotedly tended to Hal in his decline. In the fall Hal's ashes will be placed in the Mammoth Spring and will also join his mother at her gravesite. Please enjoy a cocktail and raise a toast to Hal and his new life - he'd like that. Aloha, Hal - we love you and will miss you every day. Hal 4 Hal 2 Hal #1