Memorial services for Theodore Finkbeiner, 86, of Downsville, LA will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home on Lamy Lane in Monroe with Dr. Creighton Chandler delivering the eulogy. Mr. Finkbeiner, a long time resident of the Monroe area, was born on February 19, 1924, in Monroe, LA and passed away on August 3, 2010, in Ruston, LA. “Cap'n T”, as he was known, was a firefighter for the Monroe City Fire Department for 37 years and was a member of the International Firefighters Association. He was a highly decorated veteran including two Purple Hearts of the United States Army serving as a paratrooper during World War II in the major theaters of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Holland. Just this past year he and many fellow veterans joined General David Petraeus in Nijmegen, Holland to attend the Sixth-fifth Anniversary of Operation Market Garden. Thousands of Hollanders turned out to thank the veterans who participated in the battle of Holland including the deadly fight to secure the bridge across the River Waal and free Holland from occupation by German forces. A highlight of the trip was a reenactment of the Waal River crossing that has been written about in numerous books and was the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. He was an avid scuba diver, bowler, hunter, fisherman and golfer who enjoyed virtually any outdoor sport, usually accompanied by his children, his brother Charles, or his close friend Dr. Creighton Chandler. He is preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Ida Marie Mikesell Finkbeiner and his brother Charles Finkbeiner. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Johnnie Griffin Finkbeiner and their five children Charles “Butch” Finkbeiner and his wife Marilyn of Cleveland, TN; Joe Ray “Buddy” Finkbeiner and his fiancé Diane Black of Bucksnort, TN; Beverly Flowers-Gibson of Monroe, LA; Theodore “Ted” Finkbeiner III and his wife Pam of Bouse, AZ; Patrick Wayne Finkbeiner and his wife Kim of San Antonio, TX; his sister Delores Finkbeiner Thornton of Houston, TX; and sister-in-law Jeane Finkbeiner of Rocky Branch, LA. Additionally, he is survived by his ten grandchildren Darel Finkbeiner and wife Christine, Carol King and husband Jaymes, Joshua Finkbeiner and wife Jenelle, Jesse Finkbeiner, Dustin Ray Flowers and wife Ashley, Lisa Finkbeiner, Brian Finkbeiner, Michael Finkbeiner, Barbara Finkbeiner, and Paris Ann Finkbeiner; and eight great grandchildren: Jamie Lumpkins, Teddy Finkbeiner, Elizabeth Finkbeiner, Caleb Finkbeiner, Emily Finkbeiner, Laura Coburn, Ashley King, and Liam King. He treasured his many nieces and nephews including Dale Finkbeiner, Linda Hicks, Alice Sue Herrington and husband Milton, Mary Adele Pittman, O. W. Johnson and wife Lenore, Michael Finkbeiner and wife Debbie, Karl Wayne Finkbeiner and wife Sondra. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Dean Stockstill and his staff for their loving care during his illness. Memorials are suggested to the National World War II Museum, 745 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, or online at www.ddaymuseum.org or the Greatest Generations Foundation at www.tggf.us.