Dean Odell Finch

Dean Finch, 72, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed from this life Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at his home.

He was born May 5, 1949 to Jess and Dolly (Thompson) Finch in Womack, Missouri.

Dean was raised in Fredricktown, Missouri.  He attended Fredricktown Public Schools.  He later attended OSU Okmulgee Tech and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from UCO in Edmond.

He joined the U.S. Army March 1, 1969 and proudly served his country as a Vietnam veteran until his honorable discharged.  He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and was inducted as a distinguished member of the 506th Infantry Regiment 2020 at Ft. Campbell, Ky.

He returned from active duty to Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma where he met his future wife, Bettye M. King.  They were married on August 21, 1971 and from that union 3 daughters were born.  He moved to Tecumseh in 1982 where he made his home and raised his children.

Dean taught automotive repair at Boswell High School and retired from Gordon Cooper Vo-Tech in May of 2003.  After retirement he bought a farm in Seminole.  He loved tinkering and restoring old cars, raising horses, collecting coins, going to swap meets and traveling.  He especially loved attending the Vietnam Reunions.  Dean was a very spiritual person and was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Dolly Finch; brothers, Ronald and Daniel; sisters, Wanda Cooper, Bonnie Slocum, Sylvia Rose Patterson and Carolyn Montgomery.

Those left to cherish his memory are 3 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, Jennifer K. and Jason Ricker of Edmond, OK, Kimberlye E. Finch of Shawnee, OK and Larissa L. and Darrell Chambers of Shawnee, OK; former wife, Bettye M. Finch of Shawnee, OK; grandchildren, Dalton Mize and wife Morganne of Cresent, OK, Kayleigh Kidd and husband Brandon of Bremerton, WA and Sydney L. Ricker of Edmond, OK; great-grandchildren, Bentley and Paisleigh Kidd; many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2022 and continue through service time.  Family gathering will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to greet friends and family at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Keith Ward, Taproot Church, Shawnee, OK and nephew Reverend Sean Cooper officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Dean’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.