Tommy Lou Flynn

Tommy Lou Campbell was born on August 4, 1926, in Enid, Oklahoma. While her early school years were spent in Enid, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandparents on their farm located just outside of Enid. Those cherished memories from the farm remained with her throughout her life. When Tommy Lou was 12, her family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where she went on to graduate from College High School in 1944. It was in high school that Tommy Lou met her husband of 67 years, Arthur Flynn. In 1944, when Arthur joined the United States Navy, Tommy Lou attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. In 1946, Tommy transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater where she completed her education with a major in English Literature. Tommy Lou and Art were married in 1947 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Arthur’s career took them to Wichita, Kansas, where their first son Stephen was born. Later they located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Michael and Peggy were born, and finally settled in Oklahoma City in 1955.

Tommy Lou was an active and involved mother as she raised her three children. She volunteered in the classroom and the PTA, planned family vacations every year, led Boy Scout and Camp Fire Girl groups, and carpooled the neighborhood to school, baseball and softball games, cheerleading activities, music lessons and study groups. Tommy Lou was talented in cooking, sewing, gardening, and was an avid reader. She became involved in the American Institute of Discussion (AID) and eventually trained to become a moderator for discussion groups. In 1971, Tommy Lou began working for the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City where she created and organized adult and children reading and discussion groups, as well as led training courses for moderators. She retired in 1981, and in 1991, Tommy and Art moved to Cedaredge, Colorado for a 15 year vacation. While enjoying life there, Tommy Lou perfected her quilting skills, joined several quilt groups, and won numerous awards for her beautiful and creative work. In 2006, Tommy Lou and Art returned to Edmond, Oklahoma to enjoy daily life with their family.

Tommy Lou is preceded in death by her husband Arthur Flynn, parents Theodore and Marie Campbell, and her sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Dale Trubey. She is survived by her three children: Stephen Flynn and wife Christi of Houston, TX, Michael Flynn and wife Jo of Oklahoma City, OK, and Peggy Rubenstein and husband Michael of Edmond, OK; grandchildren: Chris Flynn, Ryan Flynn and wife Dionne, Patrick Flynn and wife Katie, Jessica Brown, Jonathan Rubenstein, Abby Russell and husband Sage, and Megan Rubenstein; great-grandchildren: Deante Brown and wife Sadie, Daylin Brown, Jaida Brown, Daniel Flynn, Bailey Flynn, Sienna Flynn, Canon Flynn, Vivienne Flynn, Daphne Flynn, and Eleanor Flynn; great great grandchildren: Sylas Brown and Elsie Brown.

A memorial service for Tommy Lou will be held at a later date for the family. Please consider a donation in honor of Tommy Lou to Integris Hospice House, 13920 Quailbrook drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Flynn family.