Kenneth Finchum

Kenneth Arnold Finchum passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025 at the age of 81.

Ken was born in Washington DC on April 29, 1944 to Gladys and Arnold Finchum.

As a young boy in Southern California, Ken fell in love with sports and excelled at any sport he played including football, basketball, and baseball at Logan High School. He later umpired and coached his daughters’ softball teams. He was an avid sports fan throughout his life, but he loved his LA Dodgers the most and had rooted for them ever since they were a Brooklyn team.

Ken met his sweetheart Linda while attending Logan High School. They married on July 22, 1964 and later welcomed two daughters, Melissa and Carrie. Ken loved spending time with his family, especially backpacking and fishing. Many hours were spent with his grandchildren in Smithfield Canyon trout fishing. He loved his family wholeheartedly and loved telling “Grandpa jokes”. He was always able to make the little ones laugh with funny noises and endless games of peek-a-boo. He adored being a dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. Ken loved attending the sporting events, dance recitals, piano recitals, and band concerts of his grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his family and never failed to brag about each of them to anyone who would listen.

Ken spent many years as a mechanic at Sears. He and Linda traveled to antique shows to sell antiques throughout the west. In the early 1990s, Ken and Linda opened Only By Hand, a needlework and antique store in the Emporium in Logan. The business flourished and they made many friends during their time running the shop. Ken and Linda took many trips around the country together to go to needlework shows. Ken had learned embroidery from his mom and often stitched gifts or models for the shop.

Once Linda retired, they decided to close the store and move to Kaysville, again making many friends wherever they went. Ken was a regular at the DI and had an incredible eye for picking out that one item he thought would sell. He continued to sell antiques at Country Village in Logan, making frequent trips to replenish his stock and see old friends.

Ken was an animal lover, but he had an extra special spot in his heart for dogs. The family had many dogs over the years, and together Ken and Linda bred Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. His sweet dog Molly was his last remaining Cavalier. She is now in the care of his grandson Dana, who would bring her to visit Ken often. Molly would instantly take her spot against his leg or comfort him by cuddling is his lap.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Carrie Quesnell and her husband Mike; daughter, Melissa Williams; granddaughter, Megan Jones and her husband Sean, grandson Dana Olson and his partner Tiffany Joy, grandsons Aaron Quesnell, and Nick Quesnell; and two great-granddaughters, Ellie and Austyn Jones.

Linda passed away in 2022, and Ken was fortunate to have many friends and neighbors who kept a close eye on him and provided him with much love and service. As his health recently declined, he made the decision to move to Chancellor Gardens in Clearfield, and our family is so grateful for the care and compassion he was shown by the staff there. We are also thankful to the nurses and nursing assistants at Caregivers Support Network for their patience and tenderness, especially Carolyn Keller.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 29 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the LDS church at 331 South 50 West in Kaysville. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM at the same location. Interment will be in the Smithfield Cemetery at a later date.

Ken was never one to let anyone go hungry, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Utah Food Bank (www.utahfoodbank.com/give/give-money/) in his memory.