Carl Flynn

Carl Ray Flynn, affectionately known to family as “Uncle Billy”, was born on January 2, 1941, on the family farm in Wardell, Missouri to Mary and Oren Flynn II. He was the youngest boy of their seven children. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn (Johnson) Flynn, his brothers Otis Lee, Hosea Reuben, Oren Henry III and Fred William as well as his oldest sister Gertrude Elizabeth (Flynn) Franklin.

After the loss of his mother, he left his childhood home in Wardell and moved with his dad and brother Oren Jr. to St, Louis Missouri. While there, he finished grade school and later graduated from Sumpter High School in 1959. He then enrolled in the United States Armed Forces where he served in Korea and transcribed coded messages and international intelligence until he was honorably discharged in 1964.

He later moved to Flint, Michigan in hopes of better opportunities and there he met his late wife Evelyn Johnson, who he loved for 46 years and beyond. He pursued his degree of Banking from Baker Junior College of Business, which he received in 1976. He was hired as a teller at Genesee Merchants Bank in Flint Michigan and worked his way up to a manager position and later received recognition as Genesee County’s first black Bank Officer. He utilized his banking knowledge to assist family and community members in securing home loans and even helped to formally establish the church, Christ Assembly, through special financing. He and his brother Oren supported the financial infrastructure to later buy property in Flint and secure land in Baldwin, Michigan which expanded the church’s properties. He also held real estate licenses in four states.

He and his wife lived an intentional lifestyle leading with service, faith and generosity. Together they supported many causes and even helped to pay off the home of their former pastor and moved on to support other church communities with time and resources. He and his wife moved to Kansas City where they both worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., which later became AT&T. It was then that they added to their family with their only son, Christian Carl Flynn. During this time, Carl received his Bachelor of Arts from Mid-American Nazarene College in Olathe, Kansas in 1990. He went on to receive a Master of Science from Lael University in 1992.

Carl and Evelyn also cherished traveling the world together and showing up for family, whether it was a wedding, birthday or graduation. Whenever he could make it, his smile and joyful presence were felt the moment he entered the room.

In 1993, Carl and Evelyn moved one last time to San Antonio, Texas when his wife received a promotion through Southwestern Bell. Unfortunately, Carl fell ill for some time with an auto immune condition that left him nearly debilitated. Perhaps it was the “Flynn resilience” which pushed Carl to pursue healing through homeopathic remedies for years and led him to write and publish his first book “My Journey to Wellness.” He later opened a private practice in massage therapy.

He is survived by his only son, Christian Carl Flynn and youngest sister, Mary Dawana (Flynn) Walker. His footprint of love is the legacy he leaves behind. That legacy includes a host of family and friends including cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who are like family. Carl Ray Flynn harnessed a love for family and relished in the discovery of family genealogy and historical ties. Through his research, he was able to locate extended family members such as the Milbrooks, the Hardaways and the Moores. He captured this history and authored a book, “Breaking New Ground: Memories of the Flynn Family and Home in Wardell, MO.” to document family history. His legacy was one of love that was exemplified by the memories he built with family and friends who passionately catered to and cared for him at the end of his life. His footprint of love is the legacy he leaves behind.

The family wishes to thank the many others within Carl’s incredible network who devoted time, care, and support over the years. Special mention to John Thompson who was his trusted friend and an advocate of his affairs. We hold each of them in our hearts with gratitude beyond words.

In lieu of flowers the family requested donations to two of Carl's favorite places:

Santuary of Hope: Donate https://share.google/UCAJU2X9kN8Umq9ax and

Christians United for Israel: Give https://share.google/U3yUMiygDiHxE2FO3