Claiborne "Clay" Finger

Claiborne Rayborne Finger, peacefully passed away on April 19, 2024, in Fargo, North Dakota, surrounded by the love of his family.

Clay was born in Hildebrandt, Missouri on December 5, 1939, to Caroline and Hugo Finger. He grew up in Perryville, Missouri until he left to join the Air Force at the age of 17. He found himself stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base and in March of 1966 he married Millie (Armilda) Storey and became a father to Gail and James. Clay and Millie had two more children, Roger and Dawn. From December 1967 to December 1968, Clay served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. Over the next few years, they moved to Texas, Utah, and Mississippi until he received his first overseas assignment. His career took him across continents, with postings in Karamursel Air Base (AB) Turkey, Hahn AB Germany, and Yokota AB Japan. Clay retired from the Air Force in 1984 and moved back to Grand Forks where he worked at Stans Communications. Clay continued his professional journey post-military retirement, moving to Thule, Greenland to work for ITT Electric for 8 years. He then returned to Grand Forks again working for Teracon, American Woods, and finally landing at the University of North Dakota until he retired from there at age 70. Clay and Millie settled in Fargo in 2009 after a life filled with travel.

Clay was a member of the Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was an avid reader of science fiction books and loved Star Trek movies. He enjoyed numerous hobbies of woodworking, model-making, computers, and cars, including his beloved convertible Jaguar.

Clay was survived by his wife Millie; four children, Gail (Mike) Holland, James (Jane) Melby, Roger (Susan) Finger, and Dawn (Dudley) Finger; 11 grandchildren, Christopher (Stephanie) Holland, Kaitlynn Freeman, Jamie (Anika) Klaphake, Carrie (Chad) Altendahl, Kelsey (Joe) Molitor, Johathan Klaphake, Matthew (Lily) Melby, Zachary Finger, Brenden Finger, Samantha (Brandon) Walters, Kory (Lacey) Finger; and a grand total of 24 great-grandchildren.;Two sisters Vera Randall and Doloros McFadd; and two nieces, Doreen Algeo and Angela (Richard) Robichaud.

Clay was proceeded in death by his parents, Hugo and Caroline Finger; his siblings, Karl (Marge) Finger, Frieda (Bill) Gruenwald, Lawrence (Ann) Finger, Otto (Margaret) Finger, Arlen (Bernice) Finger, Norman (Mary) Finger.

The family would like to thank St. Raphael’s in Valley City, North Dakota and St. Catherine’s in Fargo, North Dakota for compassionate care of Clay during the past year.

Services will be at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo with family visitation at 1 p.m. and funeral service to follow at 2 p.m.