Daniel Rodney Finch

Daniel Rodney Finch, 76, passed away on Saturday, April 8.  A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 23 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Finch Family Farm in Bailey, NC.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 3:00 pm at Finch Nursery in Bailey, NC by Reverend Charles Robl and Reverend Paul Dunham.

Dan received his bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University and his Masters Degree at Duke University.  He was a master potter who trained at the Penland School of Crafts (Penland NC). Dan taught pottery classes for adults at Dan Finch Pottery.  He was Past-President and board member of the North Carolina Pottery Center, a 2010 inductee for the Twin County Hall of Fame for Nash and Edgecombe counties, and was appointed for two terms (1993-2005) on the North Carolina Board of Agriculture.  In addition, Dan served as a member of the North Carolina State Fair Advisory Board and served as President for the Village of Yesteryear 1993-1998.  He was a Past Director, President, and recipient of the D.H. Copeland Award for the North Carolina Nursery Association. 

Dan was owner of Finch Blueberry Nursery. His reach was known worldwide with his work as a consultant for the government of Chile for the introduction, propagation, and farming of the blueberry plant.  He was also a consultant for private firms in Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain in the 1980’s. 

As owner and President of Homes for Bluebirds, a non-profit organization founded by his father, Jack Finch, Dan tirelessly worked to leave this world a better place for future generations.  Homes for Bluebirds builds nesting boxes for the preservation of bluebirds and other cavity nesters.  

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Amy Farabow Finch; son, Rodney Justin Finch and wife, Kathryn of Bailey; granddaughter, Addyson Carraway Finch of Bailey; grandson, Owen Thomas Finch of Bailey; brothers, Gerald E. Finch and wife, Dot of Mt. Airy, NC, Kelly W. Finch and wife, Debra of Ayden, NC; sister, Jane Finch Shaner and husband, Mark of Lake Mary, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Rodney Finch and Ruby O’Dell White Finch, both of Bailey, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Penland School of Craft (67 Doras Trail, Penland, NC  28765), Homes for Bluebirds (5714 Finch Nursery Lane, Bailey, NC  27807), the Cooperative Extension 4H programs in your respective County, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.