James DeRay Fincher, age 76, of Clarkesville, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Born on March 7, 1949, in Pine Mountain, Georgia, he was the son of the late James Fincher and Mary Agnes Whitaker Griffin. DeRay began his career as a sheriff’s deputy in Harris County and went on to work in law enforcement for many years, where he touched countless lives both there and, in his community, beyond. He attended the 153rd Session of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. After retiring from the Athens Post of the Georgia State Patrol, with the rank of Captain, he went on to serve as Sheriff of Habersham County from 2005 – 2008. In his spare time, DeRay could be found golfing, working with his show dogs, or landscaping his yard and neighborhood. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition t

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