Mel was born in Minburn, Iowa on September 12, 1927 and grew up in the town of Perry. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after serving from 1951 to 1953 in Fort Eustis, VA during the Korean War. He spent a large part of his professional life working on radio and communication equipment and as being a long-range planner for Northwestern Bell/AT&T in Des Moines. While living in Des Moines, he met Patricia Sitler, where they were married in 1963. Their family initially moved to Florida in 1978.
Mel was an avid fisherman, loving husband, and devoted father and grandfather. Over the years he served as a Deacon, children’s Sunday School teacher, and made a joyful noise in the church choir! He was an active and well-loved member of Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He bowled on a senior citizen’s bowling league until he was 89 years old. Over the years he defied all his doctors’ predictions through his tenacity and God’s grace. His determined but sweet spirit made an impression on everyone he met.
He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia; his parents, Harold and Clara (Huffman) Flynn; his sister, Donna Davis; and his brother-in-law, Dale Davis. He is survived by his daughters, Melinda (Mike) Means of Port Charlotte, FL and Freda (Wes) Williams of St. Johns, FL; and grandchildren, Molly and Micah Means, and Jonathan, Daniel, and Rachel Williams. He is also survived by his nephews, Duane Davis and Brian Davis of Iowa, along with a number of great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank his Sunday School class at Fruit Cove Baptist Church for their many expressions of love and care for Mel.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, September 27 in Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 SR 13 Saint Johns, FL 32259, with Visitation one hour prior. Interment will take place in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME OF MANDARIN, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223, www.hgmandarin.com, 904-288-0025.
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