TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
with his mother after 50 years. He also invented a board game called “That’s Not a Word.” He was preceded in death by his par- ents, Homer and Daisy; his dear brother, William “Bill” Edwards; his kindred sister, Florence Rushon; mother-in-law, Maudesta Adams Jones and brother-in- law, Ruben Larry Woody. Douglas leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Faye Edwards; three children, Keli Ri-Charde Edwards, Kimberly Smith Heard (Dale), Kevin Smith (Linda-deceased); grandchil- dren, Brandon, Kendall, Kelcey, Kayla, Daija, Delaney, Danielle, Alesha; great grandchildren, Grant, Megan, Kairi; two sisters, Annie Nell Sears (William), Dora Way (Connie-deceased); one sister-in- law, Flora Edwards; two brothers-in- law, Clyde Jones (Jessie), Randy Jones (Elaine-deceased); three nieces, Elinda, Betty Jean, Vanessa; two nephews, Ron- ald “Ronnie” and William “Billy”, three generations of nieces, nephews and a host of family and many dear friends.
a member of the second Scroller line at Delta Rho. As a member of the Delta Rho Chapter, he served as Polemarch and Keeper of Records respectively. He graduated from San Jose State in 1960. Finley entered the United States Army in February 1960. After a two- year enlistment, he transferred to the California National Guard, in 1962 where he was a Signal Platoon Leader for the 240 th Signal Battalion. He applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, eventually commissioned as a second lieutenant, where he served as Communications Officer and Division Photo Officer. where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. Between 1968 and 1990, he served in the following positions: Executive Officer, 521 Army Security Battalion; Instructor, NCO Academy, 6220 USAR School; Recruiting Officer; Assistant Director, Enlisted Instruction; Headquarters Commandant (the First Black Commandant of the 63rd Army Reserve Command); Race Relations and Equal Opportunity Officer, 311 th COSCOM; Staff Officer, G1 Section, 311 th COSCOM; Instructor Command and General Staff College, 6222 USAR School; and Personnel Officer, Office of the Army Reserve (Pentagon). Lieutenant Colonel Finley’s military education included, Signal Officers Basic Course, Signal Officers Advanced Course, Adjutant General Advanced Course, and Command & General Staff College. working as a volunteer for Special Olympics. He organized, refereed, and umpired games at the state level, national level, and the World Games. He served as venue manager for basketball and softball, was a member of the Sports Organizing Committee, acted as Coach for the 1999 men’s basketball team In 1968, Finley transferred again, this time, to the United States Army Reserve, In 1972, Brother Finley began 44 year relationship with the Special Olympics
during the World Games, and, in 2003, was named Volunteer of the Year.
Among Garfield’s many awards, declarations and citations, were the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Los Angeles City Council for his leadership in the National Black Military Officers Association. In his civilian life, he was honored by the Long Beach Chapter of the NAACP. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Brother Finley was a longtime member of the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni Chapter. He served on the chapter’s on the Board of Directors, was the Chairman of the King Parade (2005- 2011) mentored the Kappa League, and served other committees. In 2013, the chapter bestowed its Thomas Bradley Achievement Award to Finley. In addition, from 1989 to 1996, Finley served as the President of the National Association of Black Military Officers. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation as well as a regional supervisor for 35 years for the Los Angeles County Department Parks & Recreation (Adult & Youth Sports), until his retirement. In 2011, Brother Finley was the first African American to serve on the Board of Directors for Go For Broke National Education Center, which honors the sacrifices made by Japanese American soldiers of World War II. Brother Garfield W. Finley Jr. is survived by his Silhouette of 56 years, Donna (nee Scott) Finley; his children Yolanda and John; grandchildren Andre Sr. (Tadashia) and Alexa; his great grandsons, Andre Jr., Andrew, and Anaz; his sister Arena Long; and a host of close relatives and friends.
Garfield W. Finley 1936–2019 U.S. Army, Civic Leader
Garfield W. Finley, Jr. (Delta Rho 1957) entered the Chapter Invisible on May 17, 2019 at the age of
82. Finley was born September 13, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA to Zelma Shankle. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Laura (Shankle) Finley and Garfield W. Finley, Sr. He went to Los Angeles’s John H. Francis Polytechnic High School where he ran track and played on the football team. He attended San Jose State University after graduating from Poly High in 1955. He was also a member of the San Jose State track team. He was
Publishing achievement for 105 years
THE JOURNAL 84 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING ISSUE | 183
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