James Robert Finklea Jr.

James Robert Finklea Jr. (Bob), passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife right by his side.    

Bob was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James Robert Finklea and Annie Dorothy Finklea. He was an only child raised in a humble home in Jacksonville, Florida by his mother and grandmother. After graduating high school, he began his college education at Brigham Young University. One year later, he served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England Mission (Boston, MA). Shortly after his mission, he met the love of his life, Virginia Bywater Finklea and they have been madly in love for 56.5 years and have had eight children.  Bob graduated from BYU in 1968 with a BA in Public Relations and Advertising. He led a successful career in business. 

Bob was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a beautiful relationship and testimony with Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. He held many church callings including bishop of the Orchard 11th Ward and the North Salt Lake singles ward. Bob loved to share the gospel and found a way to share it everyday, especially with those he loved most.  Bob and Virginia served five missions together including Calgary, Alberta Canada; Bangalore, India; Columbia, South Carolina; and two missions from their home in Morgan, Utah. 

Bob (aka Bobby), was a true southern boy with a love for Uncle Remus stories, bluegrass music, grits, sugar cane syrup, deep fried chicken, and Hoppin’ John.  Some of his favorite pastimes included: a day drive and lunch with his “one and only”, any western with John Wayne, restoring a 1956 Ford F100 to include a baby blue paint job with iridescent flames, and any opportunity to gather with his family.  Bob was known to tell family and the youth he loved “I am going to rip your lips off”, lovingly reminding them to make the right choices. The memories he made with his family will last us this lifetime.  

Bob’s wife and family would like to thank his nurses, Rory and Jen,  who compassionately and lovingly cared for him during the past several months. They brought such love and sunshine into Bob and Virginia’s lives at a very difficult time.  

Bob Finklea leaves behind his sweetheart Virginia Bywater Finklea, his children Bart Robert Finklea (Kamille), David Robert Finklea (Tammy), Mindi Louis (Ramy), Kimberly Romeril (Gary), James Brett Finklea (Heidi), Robert Elwood Finklea, Austin James Finklea (Laura), and Kathryn Mikkelsen (Dave), 24 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded by his mother, Dorothy and his grandmother, Emily.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 240 South Field Street, Morgan, UT 84050. A viewing will be held at the same location prior to the funeral services from 12:00PM - 1:30 PM. The interment will be at the South Morgan City Cemetery immediately afterwards.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.