From simple beginnings 50 years ago in Saluda, Rappahannock Concrete Corporation has grown into a large regional operation that’s been headquartered at White Marsh for many years. The company will hold a 50th anniversary celebration next spring.

Founder John L. "Zeke" Finney of Gloucester, started his business on Sept. 11, 1961, having purchased the ready-mixed concrete operation at Saluda that was part of Richmond-based Ruffin & Payne. He previously operated heavy equipment while in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He later worked for the Virginia Department of Highways and then was plant supervisor for a Roanoke concrete business.

"It was a lot of hard work," Finney said of the early years. Then, he drove a concrete mixer truck, with two other drivers handling the other mixers. They handled 94-lb. bags of cement, which he said felt awfully heavy on a hot day. Zeke’s wife, Sarah, has helped with the business for many years.

Their flee...