FINDERS, Donald Ramon (Don)

Tofay's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - Donald Ramon Finders, 83, passed away peacefully at home May 14, 2014 with his beloved family tending and caring for him, as he had done for them his entire life. Don was born in Ferguson, Iowa, March 13, 1931 to Carl Finders and Helen Large. Following high school graduation, he enlisted and proudly served his country in the USAF with assignments to Eglin AFB, Fla. and Thule Air Station, Greenland. Shortly after leaving the service he married the true love of his life, Elaine Maxine Barnes, Feb. 5, 1956. After a short residency in California, they adopted two children, Tami and Shane Finders and moved to Lake Havasu City in 1968. Don was the long-time manager of Ray Lumber and enabled much of the city’s construction during his tenure. He was also a founding and lifetime member and served as President of the LHC Sportsman Club. He was a committed instructor assigned to the Arizona Firearm Safety Association. But his true passion was airplane restoration and was a devoted aircrew-member of the Mesa-based Commemorative Air Force, traveling thousands of miles annually to offer his talents repairing and operating the World War II B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey.” Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dick Finders of Phoenix; Don is survived by his wife Elaine; daughter, Tami and fiancé Richard White of Lake Havasu City; son, Shane and wife Christi Finders of Bossier City, La. and his brother, Jerold Finders of Minden, Nev. Don and Elaine Finders raised a large, loving, close-knit family including ten wonderful grandchildren and four precious great- grandchildren. Per his request there will be no services; he asked that donations be made to Beacon of Hope Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Don’s family at www.lietz- frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.