Obituary of John Finch

John W. Finch was born to John William and Jessie Mertle Hosac Finch on Wells Summit north of Fairfield, Idaho August 25, 1936. He fought a courageous battle against cancer before passing at home on the evening of July 4th, 2011. John lost both of his parents at a young age and was then raised by his sister Lavon & Wallace Watson, Aunt Mable Lake and Uncle Bert Mitchell. On May 4th, 1956, John married Myrna Ilene Tillotson and enjoyed 55 beautiful years of marriage with the love of his life. John attended elementary school in Idaho City and graduated from Boise High in 1954. He was in the ROTC and served in the Army Reserves. He worked briefly in the lumber industry in the Idaho City area before going to work at Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1955, where he eventually retired from Qwest in 1985 after 30 years. After retiring from Qwest, he spent 10 years as a horse racing official at several tracks in the western states. Then John and Myrna moved to Lucille, ID where they managed the Steelhead Inn for 3 years. John was an owner and trainer of race horses at Les Bois Park in Boise and many of the surrounding states for 25 years. He enjoyed hunting birds with his dogs and really loved his time fishing with family and friends. He also enjoyed watching his kids and grandchildren participate their many sports and spelling bees. He enjoyed watching his favorite teams (BSU, Seahawks and the Superbowl Champion Greenbay Packers). John is survived by his wife, Myrna, his son Kent (Mary), daughter JaNel (Rod Kandler), and son Jay (Holly), grandchildren Nate (Suzie), Gaylen, Zack, Jessica, Dakota, Jordan, Jadyn, and great grandchildren Damian, Kyndall, Lincoln, sister Lavon (Wallace) Watson, and several nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Mable, his son Randy and his grandson Cody John. Services will be held Friday, July 8th at 1pm under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes at the Ustick Rd chapel and will conclude at Meridian Cemetery. The family would like to thank MSTI, Meridian Care and Rehab, Legacy Hospice and Dr. Fender for the care, love and support they provided our Husband, Dad and PaPa.