Kenneth Earl Flanagan

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he spent most of his adult life in Travelers Rest, SC. Ken retired from ITE/Siemens after decades of employment and later continued his career as an insurance consultant. He was also a graduate of Furman University and served in the United States Air Force.

Ken’s hobbies and interests defined who he was. He loved playing his concertina, traveling to Ireland, listening to Irish music, taking cruises, and attending festivals. An adventurous cook, he also was a genius at trivia, crossword puzzles, and looked forward to conquering the daily Wordle. He enjoyed weekly poker games with his pub friends and loved Irish music jam sessions with fellow musicians.

He was a seeker to the end, which included studying in the Ollie program at his alma mater Furman University. Other interests were Romeo lunches with fellow church members and movie nights at Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church where he was a member. He was an avid listener to his favorite Irish band, The Portumna Workhouse/The Hurling Boys of Portumna. A lifelong Philadelphia Eagles football fan, he also loved the Philadelphia Phillies baseball and Philadelphia Flyers hockey team. “Fly Eagles, Fly!”

Ken was a gem of a person who appreciated all life gave to him. He quickly made friends anywhere he went and was known as a kind, honest, enthusiastic, and fun-loving soul. He lived life to the fullest and treasured spending time loving his family and friends unconditionally.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Flanagan and mother, Mary Ellen Wagner Flanagan; sister, Judith Nottingham; granddaughter, Carly Hunter; and his beloved wife, Jane McCurry Flanagan.

Ken is survived by his wife, Virginia Flanagan; his children: Lisa (Alan) McAlister, Tracy Howard, Barbara (Bill) Lee, Katy (Joel) Fullum, Karen Burnham, and Michael Burnham; his grandchildren: Justin (Liz) Lee, Jacinta (Chase) Livingston, Kelsey (Cody) Hill, Taylor Howard, Austin (Stacey) Howard, John Mark (Shelby) Strader, and Jonathan (Madison) Lee and his great grandchildren: Olivia, Hunter, Ryleigh, Lochlan, Addison, Brayden, Noah, Anniyah, Ellie, Charlie, Brady, and John-Henry.

Services for Ken will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm. Karen Burnham is officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Greenville, SC, St. Judes Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.