Gene 'Big Pops' Finney Jr., 89, of Cuero bucked out for his last ride over the Great Divide on Friday, November 18, 2011. He was born February 18, 1922 to the late Mary Elizabeth McCarthy and Eugene Lamar Finney Sr. He married the late Jacquelyn Wood on June 30, 1947 in San Antonio. Gene and Jackie enjoyed traveling the Western United States and he made sure to take his golf clubs to play every course he could. He and his companion of 15 years, Lorraine 'Punkin' Bell loved going to the horse races in Arkansas. Gene spent his whole life in ranching and loved watching the deer out his window every day at the ranch.

He is survived by his son, William Royce Finney, Sr. and wife, Mary Beth, of Cuero; grandchildren, William 'Fred' Finney and wife, Stacy, and Jeff 'Bubbie' Smith and wife, Carrie, all of Cuero, Kenneth Wayne Newman, Jr. of Meyersville, and Kyle Newman and wife, Sara of Victoria; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jacquelyn Wood Finney; and his companion, Lorraine 'Punkin' Bell.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. Services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011, 2 p.m., at Freund Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Cotman officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Fred Finney, Jeff Smith, Kenneth Newman Jr., Kyle Newman, Andy Tillery, and Ken Klimitchek.

Honorary pallbearers include Michael Zuber, Robert Dutton Lane, David Smith, Lane Keller, and Johnny Varela.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, Cuero or charity of choice.

Gene's family would like to thank his kind and compassionate physician, Dr. Raymond Reese and everyone at Cuero Community Hospital.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.