Rock Hill, SC – Mr. Dennis Steele Findley passed away on March 7, 2024. He was born in Johnstown, PA on September 17, 1935 to the late H. Steele Findley and Ruth Ream Findley. Mr. Findley grew up on the farm that his grandfather purchased in the 1880’s and agriculture was where his passion was rooted. Dennis was a proud graduate of Penn State University Class of 1958 with a degree in agriculture. Following college he served in the Army.
Dennis stayed in agriculture his whole career. While not a farmer, he worked for over 40 years for the Department of Agriculture in service to farmers all over the country and the world.
He was married to the late Patricia Findley, nee Lesslie on June 22, 1963. During his career he lived in Trenton, NJ; Columbia, SC; Washington, DC; Louisville, KY; Austin, TX, and Prattville, AL. He also had the privilege to visit Egypt, Zaire, and the Philippines during his career.
He retired from the USDA in 1999. He and Pat moved back to the home where she grew up shortly before her passing in 2001.
He married Jimmie Hope Findley on July 14, 2005 and the two of them have lived in the Lesslie community ever since. It was during this time that he pursued his love of vehicle restoration. This included two Chevrolet Corvairs (one he purchased new in 1965) from the ground up to show condition. He and a friend, David Graham, also restored a tractor that Dennis’ father, Steele Findley, had purchased in 1947. All have been shown and the cars have won multiple awards over the years. He and Jimmie love to travel and made many trips all over the country with the highlight being a trip to Scotland in 2010.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat Findley, and sister Marjorie Bellfy. Dennis is survived by his wife Jimmie, his son, Dennis Jr. “Dusty” (Elissa); three grandchildren, Abbie Findley, Hannah Collins (Patrick), and Rebecca Findley; nephew, Michael (Mary Ann) Bellfy; three nieces Cindy Paulhus, Grechen Reece, and Mary Ellen Bellfy. He was a member of Neely’s Creek ARP Church, loved NASCAR, was member of the American Legion and a proud supporter of the NRA.
There will be a visitation on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC, 29732. There will be a Graveside Service on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Neely’s Creek ARP Church Cemetery.
In lieu of Flowers, contributions may be made to Neely’s Creek ARP Church or the charity of your choice in his honor.
Condolences can be made to greenefuneralhome.net.