Karl Finch

Karl Lee Finch was born on 7 July 1939 in Modesto, California, to Vern and Margaret Finch. At Modesto High School he excelled in football, basketball and track. On 28 December 1957 he married Sandra Brown, his high school sweetheart. He played football at the University of Iowa and competed in football, basketball and track at Modesto Junior College, where he was an all-league receiver and a state meet qualifier in the low hurdles, and at Cal Poly Pomona. In 1961 at Cal Poly Pomona he had 41 receptions for 767 yards and eight touchdowns and was recognized as an NAIA All-American after leading the nation in pass receiving.

Finch signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 1962 and played seven NFL games as a wide receiver, wearing number 88. He later attended training camps with the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers. After leaving the professional game he spent 36 years teaching and coaching football, basketball and track in Modesto City Schools. He founded the Modesto Basketball Association and coached his own children in Little League. His athletic record earned induction into the Modesto High School, Modesto Junior College, Cal Poly Pomona and Sportsmen of Stanislaus halls of fame. He also served eight years as a Modesto reserve police officer and received three Volunteer of the Year awards.

Finch and Sandra were married for nearly 69 years and raised six children: Ken, Steve, Deanna, Brian, Kelly and Delayna. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving twice as a Branch President, on a stake mission, and for two years on a Church Educational System mission in Moldova with his wife. Family remembrances after his death, including a tribute from grandson Brad Bispo, stressed his toughness, care for others and readiness to help in hard moments.

Karl Finch died peacefully on 15 September 2026 in Modesto, California, at the age of 87. The Modesto Bee published a family obituary through Legacy.com. A funeral service was scheduled for 19 December 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4300 Dale Road, Modesto.

Finch is remembered in Modesto as a three-sport high school star, brief NFL wide receiver, long-serving teacher and coach, youth basketball organizer, reserve police volunteer and church leader. Four local and college halls of fame preserve his athletic record, while decades of students and six children and their families carry forward his example of discipline, faith and community service in California's Central Valley.