Kenneth Charles Flannery

Ken was born on January 17, 1946 to Irene Mahoney Flannery and Kenneth Charles Flannery in Baldwin Park, California. He attended Bishop Amat High School where he was an active member of the football team, helping them earn the State Championship title in 1961. After he graduated in 1963, he joined the United States Air Force (USAF) where he honorably served for 21 years. Throughout his service, Ken was immensely talented, intelligent, and hard-working, which offered him the benefit of rising through the ranks, eventually retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant.

It was through his service in the USAF that he met the love of his life, Beatrice “Bea” Hernandez Flannery. While attending training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, he met Bea, and after knowing each other for only two weeks, they decided to get married. Weeks later, that is exactly what they did, and they were married for 55 years.

Ken was a patriot, and a force of nature. He provided for his family with love and pride, giving them a beautiful life filled with enriched experiences. His travels took he and his family to the Philippines, Crete, Japan, and domestically to Texas, Washington, New Jersey and several other states along the way. He served two tours in Vietnam, a proud and confident warrior. When he retired from the USAF, he continued service to his country and went to work for the Social Security Administration as a Specialist IVT Instructor, retiring from there in 2009.

Ken firmly believed in integrity, dignity and respect, teaching all that had the benefit of knowing him, that your word was your badge of honor. Do what you say you are going to do, and do it right (the first time).

Ken was a generous, kind, compassionate and loving soul who loved his family more than anything in the world. As a husband, father and grandfather, he invested time, energy, love and guidance. He was present at sporting events, band concerts, school plays, tournaments- any event that involved his family. He taught them to love the Lord, taking them to mass every Sunday.

He was the most incredible grandfather, and his grandson was his pride and joy. At family events, they could often be seen off in the corner, laughing and talking about things that were only privy to them. Growing up, he never missed his events. He often traveled to his collegiate sporting events as well, watching from the stands, documenting stats, recapping the event for post-race evaluation and always, always watching with pride in his eyes.

He was a wonderful storyteller, remembering even the most minute details of the experience. Anyone listening knew they were in for a ride when he started to speak; however, everyone also knew not to interrupt him when he did.

He was extremely intelligent. He could accurately recall facts without the use of technology. When travelling, he would map out the route on index cards and knew the stops to make along the way. He was a planner and believed in the importance of being prepared. He was an avid marksman. He loved to read, enjoyed a good forensic science show and any John Wayne western.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Flannery, his daughter, Sherri Flannery, his daughter, Cindy Flannery-Villarreal and her husband, Juan Villarreal, his grandson, Cameron Villarreal, all of Fort Worth, Texas, his

brother, Patrick Flannery, and his wife, Arlene Flannery, of California and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Irene Flannery, his sister, Coleen McCormick, and his brother, Michael “Mike” Flannery.

While we mourn this profoundly deep loss, we find comfort knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior. We know that we will see him again.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that you donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his honor. It was one of his favorite charities.