John Finley, Jr., 87, formerly of Columbia, died Sunday, April 3, 2016. Born on April 19, 1928, in Friendship, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late John Finley and Louise Sullivan Finley. John was raised in Nashville and joined the Army in 1948. After basic training, he chose to be a paratrooper and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC, during the Korean War. Mr. Finley was a true patriot and was extremely proud to serve his country. He also worked various jobs including Nashville Electric Company, construction and pipe fitting, and maintenance at Lexington Medical Center, where he retired. After retirement, Mr. Finley and his wife moved to Edisto Island, where he was very active in the community helping low income families. He was known locally as the "Bread Man" for the work he did finding and delivering food. Mr. Finley was a member of the Eau Claire Masonic Lodge#344 and the First Church of God of Columbia.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Bobbie Younginer Finley; daughters, Cynthia Gail Finley of West Columbia, Susan Finley Simons (Andy) of Trenton; and son, Harold Finley of West Columbia; grandchildren, Laura Simons Blackmon (Kevin), Allison Marie Simons, Scott Finley (Susan), Chad Finley (Jeri), and six great grandchildren.

The service for Mr. Finley will be held at 2 o'clock, Saturday, April 9th, at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, with Dr. Harold Herd officiating, and music provided by Ryan Greene. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 1 o'clock, and at other times at the Simons home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MUSC Children's Hospital, 169 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425, or a charity of one's choice.