Johan Paul Finley

Johan Paul Finley, 79, of West Fargo, ND, went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours on August 18, 2017. His wife was at his side when he passed and earlier in the day, he had been surrounded by many loving family members. He had been battling cancer for several years, which was eventually complicated by pneumonia. For several days, he was at the Palliative Care Unit at Sanford on University Drive in Fargo.

Johan was born in Bandung, Indonesia on July 1, 1938 to Fenna Johanna Marie Bock and Louis Pieter Barend Hogenraad, both deceased. He had two brothers, both deceased, and one sister, Henrietta Elizabeth Hogenraad, who still lives in the Netherlands.

Due to the Japanese invasion of Indonesia in 1942, Johan was tragically separated from his family at the age of four. He was held captive by the Japanese until the age of fifteen. He was finally liberated and returned to the Netherlands. The Red Cross was able to reunite him with his mother, who was, at the time, living in the United States. Johan did not speak English, but amazingly, he learned the language and completed twelve years of primary education in less than three years. He learned quickly and got his first job bagging groceries at a local grocery store. After being in captivity for so many years, civilian life was new and exciting for him. He had seen many horrors of war and dealt with many deadly situations at an early age, however, he kept the spirit of a young child who just couldn’t learn or do enough exciting things. He tried to join the Foreign Legion at the age of seventeen, but was stopped just in time by his stepfather. Johan was redirected to the United States Army where he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars from 1956-1974. He was a born soldier and quickly rose to the rank of Warrant Officer. After resigning from the military, he moved back to the United States with his wife, and five children, Joann, Hannelore, Johan Jr., Heather and Nancy. Although he was working two jobs and providing for his family, he was able to complete a BS degree at Moorhead State University in Business Administration. He also attended Interstate Business College. Johan had an insatiable hunger to learn. He spoke five languages and had an interest in world history, mechanics and science. He was an avid reader of many subjects and loved to share stories of his childhood experiences. His stories always left the listeners in a state of amazement. He was truly a unique individual with a spirit that never gave up on a challenge. He loved gardening, tinkering with old cars and was involved with Veterans organizations, especially having a heart for disabled vets. He had been injured in Vietnam, which resulted in him contracting Hepatitis B. It destroyed his liver and he received a liver transplant in 1996. He ultimately had to retire from the Veterans Administration, where he had served as Senior Adjudication Officer for 28 years.

Johan was Post Commander with the Fargo VFW and a member of DAV. He had just started a coffee group for the veterans at Bethany Nursing Home before his illness worsened. He had a passion for bringing veterans to Jesus and comforted them any way he could. His motivation to get well was so he could get back to this endeavor. He loved to tell others how he had found Jesus; the only answer to the lack of peace and fulfillment that he had experienced. He was so excited about bringing His message to others and used every opportunity to share it.

Johan was truly a man of integrity and great character. He gave much to his family and society and he will be greatly missed.

Johan is survived by his wife, Pamela Finley, West Fargo, ND; his five children, Nancy, Joann, both of Fargo, ND; Hannelore, Moorhead, MN; Johan Jr., Henderson, NV; and Heather, Las Vegas, NV; three stepchildren, Sarah Melby, Rachelle Sullivan and Micah Melby; and many grandchildren, step grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.

Johan and his family want to thank all the family, especially Nancy, Sarah and Faith Hewett for their tender and comforting care during his long illness at home and in the hospital. We also want to thank Sanford Home Care, the nurses and doctors at the VA, Sanford Hospital on Broadway and the Palliative Care Unit, as well as all friends and clergy at Fargo Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Fargo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.