Vernon E. Fincher

Vernon Ernest Fincher, age 96, crossed the River Jordan to go fishing in the sky on September 13, 2020.

Vernon was born on October 16, 1923 to Charles and Jennie Fincher of Lake Fork, Idaho.  He grew up in the McCall area and joined the family logging business at the age of 14.  When he was 21, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to active combat duty in Italy during WWII.  After being badly wounded, he was sent to the United States military hospital in Brigham City, Utah and was discharged from the Army in March of 1946.  He was awarded the Purple Heart, American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Ribbon, three Bronze Campaign Stars, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon and a Combat Infantry Badge.

In October of 1947, he married Ruth Patterson of McCall, Idaho.  They lived along Highway 55 near Lake Fork for 68 years and raised three children, Leonard (Rocky), Marilyn and Penny.  Vernon continued working in the logging industry until he retired in 1981.

Fishing was Vernon’s passion – you could find him on the riverbank more often than you could find him at home.  He loved being out with his sons-in-law and grandsons spending the day drowning worms.  Catching fish was secondary to the quality time he spent with “the boys”.

Vernon is survived by daughters Marilyn (Ken) Schneider of Nampa, Idaho and Penny (Wayne) Taylor of Yacolt, Washington; seven grandchildren – Sabraa Greenway of Chelan, Wash., Jeremey Greenway of Chelan, Wash., Valera Taflinger (Aaron) of Yacolt, Wash., Brian Schneider (Christy) of Meridian, Idaho, Luke Taylor of Winnemucca, Nevada, Mark Schneider of Twin Falls, Idaho and Nathan Schneider (Heather) of Middleton, Idaho; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Judith, wife Ruth and son Rocky.

A private family committal service will be conducted on Friday, October 16, 2020 in the Finnish Cemetery, followed by a public Celebration of Life in the McCall Community (Senior) Center at 3:00 p.m.  The family requests that McCall City COVID-19 guidelines be observed (appropriate face mask/covering and/or social distancing).

Always true to his word, Vernon lived by his favorite motto:  “A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work.”   If desired, memorial contributions in Vernon's name may be made to Kids First Cast, Attn: Wish to Fish, P.O. Box 3916, Nampa, ID  83653-3916

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.