Guy W. Finstad

Guy went to a new and glorious home on Saturday February 5, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Rock Church. Burial will follow at the Rock Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Clifton Funeral Home.

Guy was born in Cranfills Gap, Texas on September 12, 1933.  He was baptized October 29, 1933 and Confirmed in 1949 in St. Olaf Lutheran church.

Guy received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science at Texas Tech University in 1959 and began a 22 year career teaching Agricultural.  Twenty of which were spent at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch near Amarillo, Texas.  Guy served as the head Agriculture Teacher, FFA advisor and Farm and Ranch Manager.  During his tenure, the Ag program developed and expanded.  Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch FFA program had leadership and judging teams that won recognition across the state and had several vice presidents, two presidents of Texas FFA and one State president who later became a Texas senator and U.S. congressman.

Guy served on the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Board of Directors for a number of years, being elected as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-president and President of the Association.  He is the only secondary school teacher ever to be awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers.  In 1995 Guy received the Distinguished Agriculture Alumnus Award from Texas Tech University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

In 1981, Guy left the teaching profession to become a legislative assistant and staff director for the Texas Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture.  Guy worked with  legislation dealing with agriculture in the Senate and worked diligently to keep vocational education in the school curriculum.  Because of his efforts for vocational education in the legislative process, Guy received the Special Legislative Award from the Vocational Agriculture Teachers of Texas and the Distinguished Service Award from the Vocational Home Economics Teachers of Texas.  He also received the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Texas Humane Society.  Guy worked in Washington D.C. as an administrative assistant for a U.S. Congressman.  The final years of his career were spent in Austin as director of the Texas Agriculture Teachers Association.

In retirement he and Geneva enjoyed their ranch and being a conservator of the family land that his grandfather settled in 1886.   Improving the land, raising registered quarter and paint horses, and watching several grandchildren compete on the horses that were raised on the Drag F Ranch was a joy in his life.

The renovation of the Rock Church, cemetery and the building of the Gathering Place was a labor of love in his retirement.  Activities held at the Rock Church have increased and many are blessed as they come for weddings, family gatherings, burials or just to enjoy the beauty and peace of the church.

Guy was preceded in death by his parents, Guy A. and Wilma Finstad, granddaughters Lexi Finstad and Tracy Finstad.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Geneva, a daughter, Sherry and husband Jimmie Boatwright, sons, Garry Finstad, Terry Finstad and wife Kathy, and Barry Finstad and wife Jennifer. Grandchildren: Tammy Finstad, E.J. Roberts and wife Julie, Cole McCown, Kiley Sawchak and husband Jason, Shanna Creech and husband Mike, Chance Finstad, Casey Finstad, Dr. Cara Finstad and Avary Finstad.  Great grandchildren, Teryn and Signe Senn, Makayla and Peyton Hornik, Dally and Pecos Creech, Cinco and Maudie Roberts, Presley and Beckham Sawchak.  A sister, JoAnn Abel of Fort Worth.

Pallbearers are: E.J. Roberts, Cole McCown, Chance Finstad, Casey Finstad, Jim Canada and Tom Novak.

Honorary Pallbearers are Men’s Bible Study group which Guy enjoyed in recent years.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Rock Church and Cemetery , P. O. Box 148, Cranfills Gap, TX 76637.