Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 20, 2017

Orion Townsend Finklea, M.D, 86, died January 20, 2017 at Southminster Retirement Community. He was born in Florence, South Carolina, son of the late Orion Tiverton Finklea and Ruth Townsend Finklea. Dr. Finklea was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Following graduation from the Medical College of South Carolina,service in the United States Navy and residency at the University of Iowa, he moved to Charlotte where he practiced with the Hawes Urology Clinic, now known as Urology Specialist of the Carolinas. Dr. Finklea was a gifted and well-respected surgeon, performing the first kidney transplant in North or South Carolina. He was one two urologists in North Carolina to be trained in lithotripsy for kidney stones and brought that knowledge back to Charlotte to benefit patients in the area. His competence and ability combined with kindness and respect made him a beloved physician in the eyes of both patients and colleagues. In retirement he volunteered at the MedAssist Pharmacy. He was a barbecue enthusiast, and a loyal fan Tarheel Basketball.

He was uniquely intellectually curious. He was not simply an expert in his field but had a vast and deep knowledge of history and was a voracious reader throughout his life. His grandchildren loved his wonderful stories from his boyhood in South Carolina and his uncanny ability to know the answer to every historical question that they ever had. They could never stump him and his answers were always given with a marvelous blend of intellect and wit.

Dr. Finklea was married to the late, Jimmie Rivers Finklea, He is survived by his three daughters, Sarah Pennacchia and her husband, Joe of Charlotte, NC, Ann Finklea Hammond of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Caroline Sullivan and her husband, Richard of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren, Jay and Gracie Pennacchia, Scott and Celia Hammond and Lee and Elizabeth Sullivan; and a sister, Elaine Folline of Columbia, South Carolina

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends following the memorial service in Jubilee Hall at the church.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com Phone: 704 641-7606