Erik Joseph Finley

Erik Joseph Finley, 51, of Waynesville, NC, went home to his Lord and Savior from Mission Hospital of Asheville, NC, after a courageous battle with Type 2 Refractory Celiac disease.

Erik was reunited in Heaven with his maternal grandparents Herb and Virginia Houghton, paternal grandparents Joe and Lorraine Finley, parents Paula Houghton Johnson and Gary Finley, sister Leola Williams, and nephew Trey Gerrells.

Erik was born in Great Falls, Montana and moved to North Carolina at the age of 5, to later graduate from Southwestern Community college with his GED, and Haywood Community College with two Associates degrees in computer science. He worked at American Threshold (Enka, NC) for 8 years and then at Evergreen Packaging (Canton, NC) for 14 years with his amazing work family. 

He was known for his strong, caring, and stubborn nature. Erik was extremely competitive, especially on family game night, and loved playing practical jokes on friends and family. Known as an adrenaline junkie, he never passed up the opportunity to ride a rollercoaster or explore great heights. In his free time, Erik enjoyed exploring all of God’s beautiful landscapes, whether it was hiking with his family or capturing the beauty of a glistening waterfall. Family was vital to Erik as was friendship. He was honored to call the #19Machine crew his extended family.

Left to cherish Erik’s memory are his beloved wife of twenty-eight years Dedy Finley, cherished daughters Karissa and Hayley Finley all of Waynesville, NC; stepmother Kathie Finley of Clayton, GA , loving siblings Justyne Reese (Aaron) of Clayton, GA, Jesse Finley (Jay) of Highlands, NC, Gemma Johnson (Geri), Ashley Johnson, and Nate Colbert all of Great Falls, MT; uncles Gary Houghton of San Francisco, CA, Daniel Houghton of Hillsboro, OR, and Don Kunes of Rochester, NY; and auntie Carla LaTray (Jack) of Cut Bank, MT. Erik also leaves behind nieces and nephews Amber and Trevor Reese, Brayden and Liam Finley, Shakira, Michael, and Dominick Brien, Devin and Michael Torrez, as well great-nieces Getta Gerrells and Bristol Dixon.

Erik was loved dearly and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial donations may be made in Erik’s memory to Australian Shepherds Furever Inc. (https://www.australianshepherdsfurever.org/donate) and/or Santa Pals of Haywood County.

A celebration of life for Erik will be held on December 7th, 2024, at 11am, (meal to follow) at Love’s Chapel UMC, 41 Lovedale Rd., Sylva NC. 

Please consider memorial contributions that will assist Mr. Finley's funeral expenses.