O.W. was born to Charles Bertram and Olivia Flynn on April 10, 1939 in St. Croix, Virgin Island. At a young age, his family migrated to Harlem, New York where he lived with his two younger brothers. O.W. was a born leader, always keeping a watchful eye after his family. He was a good Christian and loved his mother dearly. After graduating from high school, O.W. enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and was initially trained as a Jet Engine Mechanic. His first assignment after training was MCAS Cherry Point, NC in 1958; where he was assigned to VMF(AW)531. He served in Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Okinawa, Hawaii and lastly Vietnam. O.W. earned his Combat Air Crew Wings fighting for our country in the Vietnam War. During his military career, he ran track at several military meets while setting records all over and winning countless medals and trophies.
In 1969, before his final assignment, he was invited to the Olympic trials for long distance running but turned it down for a new position with the Marine Corps Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX 1 at Quantico, Virginia; where after several promotions, he was made one of the few in the world to be Crew Chief where he served Presidents: Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, and James Earl “Jimmy” Carter along with other countless foreign dignitaries.
On January 31, 1981, O.W. retired from the U.S.M.C. as Master Sergeant and moved to peaceful Jupiter, Florida where he landed a job at Sikorsky, where he continued to work on helicopter engines; shortly after this, he worked at Pratt and Whitney where he worked and retired after 25 years. Throughout his life and great accomplishments; his family and friends argue that there are other accomplishments that are far greater…He was a FEARLESS LEADER that led by example. He was a mentor to his fellow Marines and continued to inspire long after his retirement. His physical condition and appearance was a standard for all Marines. When he was once asked, ‘What his biggest accomplishment was?” His response: “His Children.”
He was a devoted, loving husband, father, and friend who many said, that you could always count on. O.W. was preceded in death by his younger brother Oren Alford; father, Charles; mother, Olivia; daughter, Tracey Haynes; and brother Elroy Christian Flynn.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife Maria; brother, Errol Flynn; sisters, Donny Flynn Osborne, Florette Patsy Flynn Caines, Ellery Flynn Christian and Louis Flynn; children Mark, Paula, William, Theresa, Melinda, and Olivia; sons-in-law Aaron, Bryan, and Josh; grandchildren Leslie, Jacqueline, Soriyah, Elizabeth, Jasmine, Datrick, Carolyn, Shamon, Jacques, Micah, and Rohan; great-grandchildren Trey, Alyssa, and Liana; and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
He will be dearly missed by many whose lives he touched.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 22nd from 4-6 PM with a “Celebration of Life” Service to be held in his honor at Aycock Funeral Home in Jupiter, Florida on May 22, 2016 at 6:00 PM. Light reception will follow.
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