Beloved West Orange Resident Don Harmon Finley Passes Away at 91

Finley was a longtime member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church and DuPont Sabine River Works retiree

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:00am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm tones, depicting a blurred interior scene with soft lighting and silhouettes, conceptually representing the comforting atmosphere of a small-town church community.The passing of beloved West Orange resident Don Harmon Finley marks the end of an era for the tight-knit community he called home for decades.West Orange Today

Don Harmon Finley, a beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on April 1 in Beaumont, Texas at the age of 91. Finley was a longtime and devoted member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in West Orange, where he served as a Deacon and Treasurer and taught high school boys' Sunday School classes. He dedicated his professional life to DuPont Sabine River Works, retiring as a Foreman. Finley was an avid hunter and adventurer, even going skydiving and rafting in his late 70s. He is survived by his two daughters, two grandchildren, and other loving family members.

Why it matters

Finley's life was marked by faith, service, and adventure, and he was deeply loved by his family and community in West Orange. His passing is a loss for the close-knit community he was a part of for decades.

The details

Born in Mississippi in 1934, Finley proudly served in the Marine Reserves and later the U.S. Army. He was a longtime and devoted member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Treasurer and taught high school boys' Sunday School classes. Finley dedicated his professional life to DuPont Sabine River Works, retiring as a Foreman. An avid hunter, Finley also proved his adventurous spirit in his later years by going skydiving and rafting.

  • Don Harmon Finley passed away on April 1, 2026.
  • Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Don Harmon Finley

A beloved 91-year-old father, grandfather, and friend who was a longtime member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church and a retiree of DuPont Sabine River Works.

Katherine Smith Finley

Don Finley's beloved wife of over 50 years, who passed away in 2009.

Sharon Finley

One of Don Finley's two daughters.

Suzanne Barlow

One of Don Finley's two daughters, married to Michael Barlow.

Randi Macnair

One of Don Finley's two cherished grandchildren.

Brandon Macnair

One of Don Finley's two cherished grandchildren.

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What’s next

Funeral services for Don Harmon Finley will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas.

The takeaway

Don Harmon Finley lived a life marked by faith, service, and adventure, and was deeply loved by his family and community in West Orange. His passing is a loss for the close-knit community he was a part of for decades.