Garry Findley

Garry Lynn Findley, 80, laid down his working tools of life on January 24, 2025, after an extended illness. Garry was born on June 18, 1944, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Elza Eugene Findley and Lois Dean Robertson.

He grew up in the South Valley of Atrisco, New Mexico where he learned to work on cars at his dad’s gas station.  Growing up there he loved to play baseball with his brothers on the Barcelona Braves in Albuquerque. He went in the Navy as a Steelworker in the Navy’s Construction Battalion (SeaBees).  During his time in the Navy, he was active in boxing and became the Light Heavyweight Champion of the Navy’s 7th Fleet.

After leaving the Navy, he became an ironworker and moved to Dallas, TX. This is where he met the love of his life, Betty Lou Clarkson (Findley) in 1967. They were married after dating for a month.  They were together for over fifty-four years until her passing in 2021. They had 3 children together and live a wonderful life together in Pasadena, TX for 38 years before returning to the Clarksville area to enjoy their dream of living on a farm.

During the time in Pasadena, Garry was an avid bowler, coached little league baseball, taught Sunday school and drove the Bus ministry at Queens Road Baptist Church. He was an active member of the South Houston Masonic Lodge #1295. He retired from a 22-year career as an ironworker and was a member of Ironworkers Union 84. He then began working at Goodyear Tire and Rubber and retired after 20 years of service.

Garry was very active as a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge.  In 1974, Garry joined the R.C. Buckner Lodge in Dallas, TX where he passed to Fellow Craft and Master Mason in 1975.  Garry moved his membership to the South Houston Lodge in 1989.  While there, he was the Worshipful Master from 2009-10 and District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 30-H in 2011.  In 2013, Garry became a plural member in Friendship Lodge #16, in Clarksville, TX, where he was District Instructor from 2014-18.

He is preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents and brother. He is survived by his three children, son Erick Findley and his wife Jennifer of Pipe Creek, TX, daughter Jodie Findley Boutilier and her husband Mark of Flower Mound, TX, son Lance Findley of Richmond, TX, and as well as his daughter-in-law, Kellie Findley of Freeport, TX. He also has five grandchildren he loved with all his heart, Abbie and Paige of Flower Mound, TX, Kelan, Elijah and Raylee of Freeport, TX and two step granddaughters he considered his own, Hannah Rose of Dallas, TX and Claire Rose of Austin, TX.

Garry’s surviving siblings are Rita Stone of Albuquerque, NM, Clinton Findley and wife Margaret of Marble Falls, Tx, Jim Findley of Edgewood, NM, and Harold Findley and wife Lori of Bush Prairie, WA, along with many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at Springhill Cemetery, 7581 FM-2648, Paris, TX on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:30 am with Rev. Jack Holt officiating. Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to service at the Springhill Cemetery Pavillion. Arrangements are under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.  A reception will be held after the funeral at the Dimple Community Center, 523 County Road 3105, Clarksville, TX.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Garry Findley, please visit our floral store.