Franklin Eugene Fincher

Franklin Eugene "Gene" Fincher, 69, of Tecumseh, passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at his home after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. He was born on November 25, 1940, to James J. "Joe" and Dora Viola Spence Fincher in Vandervoort, Arkansas. Gene grew up in Poteau, Oklahoma, and graduated from Poteau High School in 1958, followed by graduation from business school in Dallas, Texas.

He worked in banking, car dealerships, transportation and construction prior to joining Brock Hotel in 1979 as a project manager. That position led to his current position as Director of Warehousing and Distribution for CEC Entertainment (Chuck E. Cheese) in Topeka. Gene was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Topeka, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees, congregational president, president of the Adult Christian Fellowship organization and member of St. John's Building Fulfillment Committee. Gene loved life and people. He enjoyed being outdoors, NASCAR racing, K-State football and time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Betty (Pope), whom he married on June 25, 1967. Other survivors include son Darin and wife Lori, Waverly, Iowa; daughter Shawna and husband Donnie Palmer, Topeka; his mother, Dora Viola, Brookside Retirement Center, Overbrook, Kansas; and brothers Jim, wife June, Garnett, Kansas; and Robert, wife JoAnn, Haughton, Louisiana. His grandchildren are Makayla and Katelyn Fincher and Jacob, Emma and Caleb Palmer.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 901 SW Fillmore, Topeka, KS 66606. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Gene will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the building maintenance endowment fund at St. John's Lutheran Church.