— Ansel Craddock Finley, 77, of Anadarko passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 12, 2012 at VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK.  He was born in Lincoln Township, north of Verden, on Oct. 24, 1934 to Willie Aubrey and Faye Geneva Finley, who worked hard on their farm.

A year later his sister, Sue Ann, was born and soon to follow were Rosalee and Keith.  Life during the early years was filled with wonder as each new day brought an adventure, applied wisely by a very creative mother.  Play was serious work to all of them.  Ansel played basketball and ran track at Verden High School, where he graduated in 1952. He attended one semester at OSU, then joined the Army Paratroopers School, where he graduated after two years.

Upon leaving the Army, he married his high school sweetheart, Reba Jean Singleton and they had two children, Rene’ and Kyle.  Ansel’s broad range of interest and talents introduced him to many jobs, including working mostly as a carpenter, then as an insurance salesman, water tester for the U.S.D.A. Grady County Agricultural Department, mobile home manufacturing plant worker, and finally for several years as a Chemist for PetraFina Chemical Corporation.  He retired from Fina and moved to Alvord, Texas to live near Keith and set up the Three Possums Ranch.

The sudden death of his brother, Keith brought him back to Oklahoma where he experienced his first amputation as a result of vascular disease.  During that time his brother-in-law, Max Upchurch died. It was a very difficult time for him, as he recuperated in the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Rosalee and Clifford Nath.  When he was ready, he moved into his own apartment and lived independently until this past November.  

During all these years his true love has been various areas of sportsmanship, including archery, bowling, hunting, fishing, horse-racing, golfing, camping and also music.  Ansel was awarded many trophies and awards in archery and bowling and golf.  The Finley and Craddock families have enjoyed many, many hours playing cards and dominoes and laughing and making music together.

He is preceded in death by his father, Willie Aubrey Finley; mother, Fay Geneva Finley; sister, Rosalee Nath; brother, Keith Finley; and brother-in-law, Max Upchurch.

Ansel is survived by his daughter, Rene’ and husband Scott Sanders of Bethany; son Kyle and wife Diane Finley of Poway, Calif.; grandsons Aaron, Seth and wife Rachel, Canaan, Bryce and Austin; granddaughters Chelsie and Ashley; great-granddaughters, Teagan Elizabeth Finley and Monroe Marie Sanders; sister Sue Ann Upchurch of Anadarko; brother-in-law Clifford Nath of Anadarko and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to those who assisted and suffered with Ansel:  Mary Burcham, Sue Upchurch, Clifford Nath, Vonda Neal and staff of the Anadarko Housing Authority, Faith Hospice of Anadarko (especially Danielle Walters, Susan Smith and Chaplain Dennis King), Grace Living Center in Chickasha, Quail Creek Nursing Home in Oklahoma City, VA 4th Floor Palliative Care Staff, and Pastor Troy Taylor of Verden FBC.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Verden with interment following at Verden Cemetery.  He will be in state at Steverson Funeral Home in Anadarko until 9 p.m. Wednesday.