In Loving Memory 1920-2007

This is my paternal grandfather, Richard Arnold Finlayson or "Dick" to those who really knew him. Gramps, as his grandchildren knew him, was a wonderful grandfather! Some of my fondest memories of my life with Grandpa are, each year for our birthdays our grandparents would give us$5 dollars. When I turned 4 or 5 he gave me a crisp $5 dollar bill and I cried because I thought that it was a $1 bill instead since there was only 1 bill he was presenting me with. He quickly went through his wallet and found 5$1 bills for me. Insteand of trying to reason with a distraught child on her birthday, he just chuckled his grandpa chuckle and smiled at me. I was none the wiser! I also remeber Gramps letting my younger girl cousins put curlers in his hair. They would spend hours curling his hair and he would just sit there and allow them to have some fun at his expense. He was such a patient man! I also remeber when some of my brothers were struggling, it was always Gramps loving and gentle way with them that helped them to know that they were loved and that he seemed to understand what they were struggling with. I also remember Gramps showing up to the jobsite many many tmes with cookies and drinks. Gramps was always this beacon of love and gentleness. I also remeber when I was a child and he was called as the Bishop in our ward, he would stand by the front door waiting for us to arrive. Once we arrived he would take us into his office and visit with us for awhile and then let us chose some candy from his candy dish. It made me as a young child feel so important that my grandpa would take the time out of his busy life to visit and reconnect with us. My grandfather had a way of finding nonassuming ways to show his love and affection. He was a quiet man who didnt speak much. But when he did speak, it was always words of wisdom and insightfulness. He was a man of integrity, a hard working man that was devoted to his family and to temple work and the gospel! I will miss seeing him at our family functions, at the Logan Temple where he worked with Grandma for I think 18 years, it could be more. I will miss my Gramps, especially since I have rarely see my Grandmother without him. I am sad to know that my family dynamics will change. I love my Grandfather so much. I will miss him so much. I like to image that once he crossed over to the other side, his daughter Linda was there to greet him. I image that was a tender and loving welcome. His parents, grandparents, and almost all his sibling as well as friends and family would be there to welcome him home as well. Before he passed he said he saw his brother-in-law, Uncle Mark. I am sure they are catching up with each other and probably making plans like they used to do! Grandpa lived a full, happy, and honest life. He has gifted me with a wonderful legacy. Thank you Gramps for being such a wonderful man and grandfather! I love you and will do my best to live up to your example.