Garland "Harrel" Finch

Garland “Harrel” Finch, age 92 of Frisco, Texas, passed away on July 28, 2021 in Plano, Texas.

He was born in Elva, Kentucky on February 19, 1929 to Govie Cleet Finch and Olccel Ivey Finch Myers.

Harrel was a member of the United States Army during the Korea Conflict. Upon arriving in Korea, he found several generators that were not working, and no one knew how to fix them.  Harrel repaired all of them the day he got there.  Following that day, he was put in charge of a crew of several men that kept the generators operating so the troops had electricity.  After an honorable discharge from the military, Harrel began working at Air Products Chemical Corporation in Calvert City; he retired after 39 years. He was a member of Oakland United Methodist Church in Sharpe for over 70 years and attended regularly until he was no longer able to drive.

Harrel married the love of his life, Bertha Elrod in 1947. It was love at first sight; a cheerleader caught his eye, Harrel leaned over to his cousin, Virgil Minter, and told him that he was going to marry that girl. Harrel and Bertha were married for over 74 years. They didn't own a car when they were first married. Harrel and Bertha rode an Indian motorcycle everywhere they went.  He also liked to race cars.  Harrel could build anything- he built a pontoon boat (which they had to sell because his 4 year old daughter kept jumping off of it) and a Ferris wheel for his daughter. After retirement, he loved riding his tractor, sitting in his pine thicket (he planted the trees with his daughter, Jill, when she was in Brownie Scouts, from seedlings- the trees were 40+ years old).  He loved his neighbors and was always doing something to help them. In 2016, Harrel and Bertha moved to Texas to live with Jill; they cherished every moment they were able to spend surrounded by their family and puppies.

He is survived by his daughter, Jill F. Igert (Louis H. Igert); several nieces and nephews and their families; his three puppies, Charlie Brown, Cami, and Gypsy.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025.