Jack Richard Flowers Jr.

Born and raised in Indiana, he was the son of Helen Anderson Flowers and Jack R. Flowers, Sr. He attended Rose Poly in Indiana where he made lifelong friendships through his fraternity. He later lived in Denmark, Pennsylvania, California and Maine, where he made countless more!

Captain Jack Flowers served honorably in Vietnam with the First Infantry Division as Rat Six of the Tunnel Rats, leading a squad tasked with navigating the tunnels of Cu Chi—disarming booby traps, clearing out supplies, and demolishing the passages to prevent their continued use. His experience in Vietnam was the basis of several books, including The Tunnels of Cu Chi by Tom Mangold and The Veteran by Frederick Forsyth. Jack was also featured in an episode of 60 Minutes, interviewed with his fellow Tunnel Rats, by Morley Safer.

After the war, he was trained as a stock broker by Ross Perot, and later produced a video for Mr. Perot’s presidential campaign. Jack worked much of his life as a venture capitalist, raising money for a wide variety of start-up businesses. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was a life-long lover of politics and history.

Jack was a creative soul with a gift for storytelling. He produced a play in San Francisco titled Tunnel Rats, inspired by his time in Vietnam. He also went on to publish two books: Rat Six, a novel drawn from his wartime experiences, and Flowers: A Love Story, an epistolary novel told entirely through flower shop receipts and the heartfelt letters that accompanied them. Passionate about connecting with readers, Jack collaborated with libraries across Maine and Indiana, offering readings to anyone who cared to listen.

He is survived by his children, Melissa and Leslie from his marriage to Joyce Flowers; Joshua and Alexandra from his marriage to Amy Flowers; his sisters Karen Wilkins, Diane King, and Tina Smith; as well as grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. Even in his final moments, Jack approached life with unwavering strength, good humor and a warm smile.

A memorial ceremony will be held at Arlington, Virginia at a later date. In honor of Jack’s life, contributions may be made to a Veterans’ organization of your choice.