Finley Flaker Jones peacefully passed away at his home on June 15, 2025.
Finley met his future wife Nancy in 1971, and they married in Feb. 1973, at Blue Ridge Boulevard United Methodist Church. They were married for fifty-two years, and their lives together were blessed with a wonderful journey with their family and friends.
Finley was born in Girard, Kansas, to Twylet and Lawrence Jones in April 1944. He attended Girard Public Schools and graduated from Girard High School. He graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree in Business from Pittsburg State University and later earned a second degree from Kansas State University. Finley moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked for Farmer’s Export Company as an international grain trader. The greatest joy of his life was the birth of their son, Grant, in June 1976. They moved to Mound, Minnesota, where he continued his exporting career. They moved to Alton, Illinois, where he negotiated barge and rail grain exports. He moved to Wayzata, Minnesota, and as Vice President of ConAgra, his career took him on international business travels to countries such as China, Japan, Romania, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, England, Taiwan, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico among other locations. They enjoyed many friends in both Illinois and in Minnesota.
Finley was active as an adult leader in Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed wonderful camping trips. These included High Adventure trips to the Canadian Boundary Waters and Yellowstone Park in Wyoming with Grant and Troop 283. They moved to Raytown, Missouri, in 1992, and he resumed farming on the Jones’ family farm, so his love of all things agricultural spanned 81 years from producing to worldwide exporting. Grant married Lisa, and he was so proud of his two grandsons, Connor Jones and Mark Jones. He especially cherished going out with the four of them and following their activities. He appreciated having the opportunity to see them grow up. Growing up in Girard, he had an idyllic childhood with his brothers and sister, Gary, Fleta, and Chris (C. Z.). They had so much fun with their neighbor Stanley Gilliland, who is waiting for Finley in heaven to share good stories and old memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Twylet Jones and his older brother, Gary Jones who he admired. He was also preceded in death by Nancy’s parents, Ewing and Mary Stewart, who enjoyed a loving relationship with him, too. Mona Jones (Gary), Robert Rose, Fleta Rose, and Chris (C.Z.) Jones are his wonderful family whom he cherishes and who spend holidays with him.
The light of Finley’s life was also his nephews and nieces: Kristi Jones, Stuart Jones (Becky), daughter Emma; Doug Jones (Tanya) daughter Leeza: Matthew Rose and his children Copland, Thomson, Carter, and Gabielle; Mark Rose (Joanna) and their children Sarah, Samuel, and Faith; and Chad Jones (Michelle) and their children Corbin and Madison.
Throughout his life the centerpiece was the excitement with all family holidays filled with joy and laughter. His extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins - the Flakers and Joneses - were kept close during his life, too. His friends extend from his high school and college friends, his business friends, his golf foursome, his walking partners, to the YMCA in Pittsburg, to church members, his road trip adventures with Gene, to his graduating class, to his friends in the Kansas City area, to Lisa’s family and her extended family, and to his special friends with whom he would go to visit and flip for sodas at Ray’s shop. His life spanned eighty-one years of changing the world for the better and in agriculture. He spent the last two days of life with Bob (Robert Rose) and Fleta helping her. Fleta and Finley were always together whether they were in the same town or apart. The last day was also spent with family and friends and making plans for the future. He taught everyone when difficulties happen, face them and move on to create laughter.
Visitation will be June 21 at Smith Carson Funeral Home, 518 St. John, Girard, Kansas, 9:30am. Services will be 10:30 a.m. followed by Graveside Services at Girard Cemetery. Friends and Family are invited for lunch at noon at Girard Christian Church, 119 N. Summit, Girard, Kansas. In lieu of flowers memorial suggestions are: First Christian Church of Girard or Girard High School Scholarships and these may be left at the service or mailed to the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.
