James Thomas Fincher

James “Coach” Fincher went home to be with the Lord on October 5, 2016.He was born in Dallas, Texas, on December 11, 1956, to Wendell Thomas Fincher and Ceveta Berldean Fincher.Coach was a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas and was saved at the age of 8. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, George and Melba Fincher, Lula Belle Bowman, Laura and George Henager, and Marvin Yott; and father-in-law, Glen Stanley Spates.Coach is survived by his loving wife, Pam; daughter, Tiffany Finch (Eric) and son, Stan; beloved granddog, Max; mother, Berldean Fincher; sisters, Shelia Norman (Tommy), Sherri See (Ken), mother-in-law, Marlene Spates; sisters-in-law, Sandra Boyd (Bob) and Kacy Fuller (David); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends. Coach went to Mesquite High School, playing basketball, baseball, and football, and he helped take the Skeeter Varsity football team to the state playoffs in December 1974.He played college football at Sul Ross University and Austin College.His great love of sports led him to coaching positions at First Baptist Academy and Mesquite High School.He left coaching in the early 80s to pursue a lifetime career in sales, first in wholesale jewelry and later in wholesale produce.Coach was truly a lover of the life God gave him, and he wanted to make the most of it, even through all of the many health issues he faced in the last 10 years. He loved his family and friends with a passion.He was so proud of his children and was crazy about his granddog, Max, who loved his “daddy” best.Coach never met a stranger and he was one of a kind.He had more friends than can be counted through his associations with church, school, coaching/teaching, sales, Dallas Athletic Club, golfing, fishing, hunting, and more.His great love of live music led to a 26-year relationship with Gexa Pavillion.Coach’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives, and he will be greatly missed. Please go to New Hope Funeral Home to post memories of Coach on the tribute wall at http://www.newhopefh.com/obituaries/James-Fincher-2/…A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. (viewing at 10:00 a.m.), October 12, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Dallas, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX 75201.Burial follows at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 4118 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228.