John "Tom" Finney

John Thomas (Tom) Finney   Tom was born on Nov. 26, 1929 in Fairmont, NE, the third oldest of ten children. He earned his angel wings on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the age of 87 years old with his family by his side at his home in Lincoln, NE. His parents were Gerald and Florence Finney; they moved to their ranch in the Sandhills at Seneca, NE in 1933. He attended a country grade school and then high school in Seneca, where he graduated in May 1949. He and his twin brother Don enlisted in the United States Air Force in the summer of 1949, and spent 3 and a half years on a tour of duty in Germany.   On June 25, 1954 he was united in marriage to Maxine M. Cordis of Thedford, NE at St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church in Thedford. To this union two children were born; Stephen L. of Grand Island, NE and Peggy S. (Jeff) McDonald of Lincoln, NE.   They lived in the Sandhills and Chadron areas before moving to Broken Bow in 1959. Tom worked at the Chevrolet and Pontiac garages for several years as a mechanic, salesman and shop foreman. In 1973 he was appointed Associate County Judge of Custer County in Broken Bow and retired in 1987. Tom was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and the Broken Bow Booster Club, and enjoyed many years of running the chain gang with the Broken Bow Indians.   In 2003, Tom and Maxine moved to Lincoln to be closer to family and major medical facilities. Since retirement Tom and Maxine spent many hours camping and attending annual fishing trips with his five brothers. Tom enjoyed all local sports and loved Nebraska football.  They also spent 15 years wintering in Alamo, TX where they owned a home.  They enjoyed a diverse group of Snowbird friends from all over North America.   In 2009 Tom and Maxine celebrated their 50th anniversary with an Alaskan cruise which they truly enjoyed.  They were eight days short of their 63rd anniversary.   Tom is survived by his spouse Maxine, children Stephen L. and Peggy McDonald; grandsons Ryan McDonald, Omaha and Ahren (Suzanne) Finney, Broken Bow, two great-grandsons Ahren John Finney and Tate Lutz of Broken Bow. Brothers, Frank Finney (Jeriann) of Winner, SD and Pat Finney of Merna. Two sisters Geraldine Mickelsen-Hodges of Wheatland, WY and Kathy Ogle (Sam) of Lincoln. Sisters and brother in law Teri Cordis of Beatrice , Jesse Van Schoyck of Clear Lake, IA, Margie Barent of Lewellen, Charlotte (Sam) Miles of Valentine, Tootie Finney of Alliance, and Linda Finney of Omaha. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.   He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother Don, brothers Roger and Paul and sisters Barbara and Dorothy.   Rosary services will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 7:00 P.M. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with funeral services on Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Broken Bow.   The family has requested casual wear and/or red Husker attire. Burial will be at St Joseph’s Cemetery.  Please join the family for lunch immediately after burial at the Broken Bow Country Club.  Memorials may be given to the family for future designation to Tom’s favorite charities.