Kenneth Finke, 78, of Burien, WA passed away from Multiple Myeloma Thursday, March 15, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.
He was born March 11, 1940 in Minot, ND, the son of Gordon and Esma “Ez” Finke. He moved to Spokane, WA with his parents where he graduated from Field High School in 1958. After high school, the family moved back to Minot, ND where he began his life profession at Smitty’s Repair. This is where he learned the transmission trade. He was one of few people that learned how to work on all makes of cars.
In March 1966 he moved to the Alki area of West Seattle, WA. He worked at a couple of transmission shops in the Seattle/Burien area before taking over Aaable Transmission in Burien, WA in approximately 1974. He owned and operated this business until 2015. He was well known and respected in the Burien community.
From the moment he received his driver’s license, he loved to go fast. In Minot, ND he raced at the fairgrounds in the Hobby class (when he had a license) otherwise he would be racing on the back roads of Minot. He was also a NHRA drag racer for approx. 40 years. Drag racing was his passion and he loved the people he met over the years racing. He was a driver of the “Black Ice” 57 Chevy and then the “Joint Venture” 66 corvette. After being in a life threatening accident in 1979 at SIR (Pacific Raceways) he hung up his driving helmet and became part of the Joint Venture crew.
He will be missed by all that knew him. He was an honest man always willing to lend a hand, share a beer, or give advice to whoever needed it.
Survivors: wife Jill, daughter Tara (Julian), brother Jerry (Joan), niece Brenda, nephew Rob, aunt Carol (Jack) Pyne, stepson David (Carol) Haire, three great-nieces/nephew, and five great-great nephews/niece.
He was preceded in death by parents Gordon and Esma (Ez) Finke.
Catholic Service will be held: Saturday April 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church -15236 21st Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to - tribute.themmrf.org/kennethfinke
