Parker County Today PCT June 2018 | Page 13

Leadership By Example : Dee S . Finley , Jr . By Kendall D . Adair

There is personal success and there is professional success , and for some there is both . To hope to fall into the latter camp requires role models to emulate and mentors from whom sound advice may be sought . The Harris , Finley & Bogle family has been blessed since 1977 with the example of the firm ’ s original founders , Charles Harris and Dee Finley , who have lived lives of extraordinary integrity and generosity . This was never more evident than May 15th of this year , when we bid a sad but ultimately uplifting farewell to Dee S . Finley , Jr ., who passed away May 9th .

Dee was a family man , very much in love with his wife Becky , whom he wed in 1969 , their children Erin , Sarah and Ross , and their four grandchildren . When his grandchildren spoke of their adored grandfather “ Ace ,” it was clear enough that he was much loved in return . That sort of affection is no accident ; it is born of intentionally kind and thoughtful words and deeds from an intentionally kind and thoughtful man .
Dee obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas . He was an avid golfer and staunch supporter of his beloved Longhorns . He was on the golf team at The University . Among myriad roles at work and in his community , Dee was Chairman of the Colonial PGA Tour Golf Tournament from 2002-2004 , on the Board of Trustees of Baylor All Saints Medical Center , and
Dee S . Finley , Jr .
served many years on the Board of Directors of Hope Farm , a non-profit group whose mission is “ guiding at-risk boys to become Christ-centered men of integrity .” If you want an example of true friendship and selflessness , picture Charlie , an unrepentant Aggie , leading a packed sanctuary in the singing of “ The Eyes of Texas !” But such was their friendship and has been their example to us all .
Dee was a GREAT lawyer . I won ’ t list all of his many professional accolades . He was quick to share his knowledge and success with young lawyers , and no one benefitted from that sharing more than me . Dee was my mentor for over 30 years . It is sad to think that I ’ ll never again settle into a chair in Dee ’ s office and ask “ What do you think about this ?”
But to say goodbye is not the end ; through our association with Dee , we all at Harris , Finley & Bogle have learned much about lives well lived inside and outside the practice of law . We cannot hope to fill Dee ’ s shoes , but we can try , and in trying preserve the worthy legacy he and Charlie established many years ago . As Charlie so perfectly said : “ Goodbye my friend . I will miss you .”
JUNE 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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