Alan Stuart Finger

Alan Stuart Finger was born in Houston, Texas, on February 9, 1936, and passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the age of 89. He is the son of the late Aaron and Dora Finger and the younger brother of the late Relda Finger Hoffer. Alan was a distinguished alumnus of the San Jacinto High School class of 1954, where he excelled in both academics and athletics, especially as a halfback and defensive back for the football team. He later served as Chairman of the Alumni Association and was a key figure in advocating for the transformation of the historic San Jacinto High School building into a community destination and academic center by Houston Community College. In his role as Chairman, Alan was involved in fundraising efforts, including the Memorial Green Project, which sought to add green space to the renovated area as a tribute to the school’s past. Alan was a natural connector of people; he deeply valued the relationships he built in his youth, and he demonstrated that commitment by editing and writing for the alumni newspaper and organizing alumni events. After graduating high school, Alan attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he discovered fencing by happenstance and went on to become an Ivy League champion in the sport. Soon after college, he discovered competitive sailing. He went on to win races in Florida, Texas, and Mexico. He won five straight competitions at Key West Race Week, was the winner at the Lakewood Yacht Club, and finished second in a big race from Galveston to Veracruz, Mexico. Alan built a reputation as an unbeatable athlete, but always shared his accolades with others. He was a real team player. In addition to football, fencing, and sailing, Alan was an avid private pilot and an outdoorsman who enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including hunting, fishing, and raising cattle. After college, Alan returned to Houston and opened the appliance and stereo system division of the family business, Finger Furniture. Alan’s marketing acumen made this division a significant part of the company’s success. Alan was a lifelong member of Beth Yeshurun, has been an active contributor to Jewish charities, and served on the board of directors for ADL. He was proud of his Jewish heritage and loved to celebrate holidays with his extended family. Alan was a true Renaissance man. He was known for his many interests, including restoring vintage cars, baking cheesecakes, which he sold to Tony’s restaurants until he couldn’t keep up with demand, learning to play his favorite country songs on guitar, and growing and selling hay using the tagline “Hay, it’s what we do.” As rugged as he was, Alan had elevated taste and an appreciation for beauty. He collected fine wines and intricate ivory carvings called scrimshaw, traditionally practiced by sailors in the 19th century. Alan was an accomplished man, but his proudest achievement was marrying the love of his life, Marlene Cohen Finger, 68 years ago. He loved and adored Marlene above anything else. Alan was a devoted husband and family man. Throughout their 68 years of marriage, Alan and Marlene created lifelong memories with their friends and family. Together, they were a cohesive, charismatic, and big-hearted unit. They built a beautiful family together. He was the proud father of his children, Steven, Bradley, and Melanie; and was known as Pepa to his grandchildren, Erin, Stephanie, David, Max, and Natalie; and his great-grandchildren, Brooke, Avery, Chase, Riley, Harper, and Eli. He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene Cohen Finger; his daughter, Melanie Finger Goldstein; his son, Steven Finger, and wife, Mindy. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Erin Finger Kaplan, and husband, Steven; Stephanie Finger Mendeloff, and husband, Jared; and David Finger, and fiance, Julie; Max Goldstein, and Natalie Goldstein. In addition, he is survived by six great grandchildren, Brooke, Avery, and Chase Kaplan; and Riley, Harper, and Eli Mendeloff. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley, whom he loved dearly. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 29, 2025, in the Sophia & Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, TX 77055. A livestream of the service will be available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends to donate to The Alzheimer’s Foundation (https://alzfdn.org/donate/) or Texas Children’s Hospital (https://www.texaschildrens.org/support).

Alan Stuart Finger

February 9, 1936 - September 26, 2025