Gary Clyde Finch

Gary, an avid, year 'round, fisherman frequently declared, "When it's my time, I hope to fall over the side of the boat and go to the great pond in the sky." While he didn't fall out of his boat, on July 17, 2026, Gary passed away peacefully at home while enjoying his second favorite activities: watching state high school baseball and the Chicago Cubs. While he rarely even took aspirin in his first 76 years of life, his last six years were consumed in a battle against blood cancer and a weak heart. At 82 he joined his wife, Joy, in heaven's eternity.

Gary was born in Boone, Iowa where he attended kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary before his family moved just south of Des Moines and began their lives operating a pristine dairy farm. First through eighth grades, Gary attended a two-room schoolhouse, Cloverhill, and grades nine and ten at Norwalk High. At 16, owning his first car, Gary made the choice to finish high school in Des Moines. He transferred to the state's largest high school, Abraham Lincoln, just so he could take Lincoln's hands-on, experiential, field trip-full biology classes. He graduated in 1961, and five years later he and Joy bought their first and only home just half a block from Lincoln; the same home in which they raised their family and where they developed life-long, multi-generational Edgemont-family friendships; the same home near which their three
children bought homes, and where, during the 90's, seven grandchildren born within
seven years gathered and celebrated all things big and small for many seasons.

In 1963, newly married to the love of his life, Joy, the couple moved to Chicago where, for a year, Gary directed planes at O'Hare airport. After their firstborn arrived the family moved back to the farm before Gary began his lifelong career as a proud Teamster in the freight business. Gary was forever grateful for the good life his work and Teamster membership provided for his family throughout the years. Gary's greatest passion was for nature and the outdoors. He pursued fishing in particular, with reverence and a deep knowledge earned by years of experience and quiet practice. The humblest of fishermen, Gary found peace and pleasure whether competing in a B.A.S.S. tournament, sharing boat time with a friend or family member, sitting on a bucket next to a pond, or even upon the ice during winter months. Not liking to eat fish, Gary, fished for the science of the sport and most often threw fish back, but occasionally gifted great catches to friends. His fishing room is filled with rods and reels, dozens of articles and topical maps, and thousands of lures.

Celebrating Gary's life and legacy forever are daughter Crystal Abbe (Paul) of Des Moines, IA, son Curtis Finch (Shelly) of Avonlake, OH, daughter Clover Finch-Foster, (Tom) of St. Mary's, IA; grandchildren Spencer Abbe, Sam Abbe, Gracie Abbe, Holly Manning (husband, JJ), Katie Finch, TJ Foster (wife, Jenny), Tanner Foster (wife,Saylor) and great grandchildren Emmett Richard Braga and Hadley Joy Manning. With all faith, Gary's family is comforted knowing that Gary and his wife Joy are eternally enjoying Divine nature together.

Family and friends are invited to join Gary's immediate family to honor his life Friday, July 31, 2026. Guests will be welcome to visit 2:00-3:00, culminating with a church service at 3:00PM. Both visitation and servicewill be held at Lincoln Heights Lutheran Church, 1217 Watrous Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50315.

Memorials may be honorably given to Veterans at Rathbun Lake INC, Eternal Mindset Ministries, Gray's Lake Neighborhood Association, Lincoln Heights Lutheran Church, or where your heart may lead.