RUSSELL "DEE" FINK

RUSSELL "DEE" FINK Hugoton Dateline Russell "Dee" Fink, age 84, of Hugoton, KS., formerly of Strong City, KS., died Sunday, April 26, 2009, at his home in Hugoton. A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2009, at 2:00 P.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls, KS., with his nephew, Steve Fink, and a long-time friend, Bennie Holtsclaw, officiating. Burial will follow in the Strong City Cemetery in Strong City. The son of Clarence E. and Jessie Gillet Fink, Russell Dewayne "Dee" was born February 2, 1925, in Burns, KS. He was a member of the American Merchant Marines, during World War II, and served aboard an oceangoing merchant ship delivering cargo to our troops throughout the world. He, also, served in the United States Coast Guard. He was nominated by Nick Bayer and received recognition as an Honorary Green Beret. He and Margie B. Wright were married March 5, 1949, in Garnett, KS. She preceded him in death on April 5, 2003. He was a cattleman and a business owner. He owned a gasoline station, owned a trucking company and worked at Crofoot Feedlots in his early years. In later years, he owned the Hole-in-the-Wall Tavern and the Fink Liquor Store in Strong City. He and Margie were part-owners of the Prairie Supper Club east of Strong City and he sold vehicles for Wilson’s Sales Co. in Council Grove, KS. He owned and operated Southwest Liquor Store after moving to Hugoton in 1994, and most recently, worked at the Four Winds Golf Course. He was a member of the American Legion, a past member of the Flint Hills Rodeo Association, a past president of the Flint Hills Rodeo Association, and a past member of the National Cutting Horse Association. He is survived by his two daughters: Patricia Parrish of Satanta, KS. and Cheryl Fink of Walsh, CO., a sister, Vera Knight of Nevada City, CA.; four grandchildren: Bradley Reynolds, Traci Reynolds, Laramie Mosley, and Mickayla Fink; and four great grandchildren: Jazmyne Morley, Alyssa Morley, Hunter Reynolds, and Lucas Reynolds. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margie; son Kim DeWayne Fink, who died July 26, 1988; a brother, Gordon Fink; and a sister, Dorothy Brewster. Messages to the family may be sent to www.brown-bennett-alexander.com. The family will meet friends at the funeral home, Tuesday, April 28, 2009, from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. Friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday, 1:00 until 8:00 P.M. and Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. until service time. Memorial contributions to the Hospice of Guymon, OK. may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845.

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