J.R. 'Jack' Flanagan

After living life to its fullest and surrounded by his children, J.R. "Jack" Flanagan, joined Betty in heaven on January 7, 2013, just in time to celebrate Betty's birthday. His passing is not filled with sorrow but with loving memories of life shared with us. John Robert Flanagan was born on March 4, 1919 to Robert & Angeline Flanagan in Kansas City, Missouri. Jack was the second oldest of 11 children & the oldest son. Naturally a lot of responsibilities & duties fell on his shoulders. There were 3 boys & 8 girls. Childhood was spent in many cities, such as Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, and even in Canada as his father was in the car business & moved often. The Depression was tough on that family. They were poor as church mice & dad was required to help support the family at a very young age. During these tough times, Dad & his family moved in his grandfather, Liberty K. Flanagan, who had a 2 story house in Kansas City, Mo. Dad never knew how to relax and just "play". working was his life. As more children came on & food & room was sparse, Dad would hitch a ride to St. Joseph, Mo. to work on the farm of his Aunt & Uncle, John & May Nold. They also had a large family and another male would always be welcomed to help with all the farming chores. The work was hard & demanding but those days were his fondest memories. In 1939, Dad met the love of his life, Betty Hines, while on vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks, in southern Missouri. Dad had a 1938 Chevy Coupe, that he bought for $453.90 !! The story was always shared at family gatherings of how Dad & Mom met. There were 3 best friends, whose first names were Jack & there were 3 cute nursing studentsall having separate long weekends at the lake. Now one of the guys & gals knew each other so there were slight flirtations thru out the weekend. Sunday afternoon arrived & time to go home when Dad offered these gals a ride. Now it was crucial that these girls return & meet curfew at school or face the wrath of the strict St. Joseph nuns. Dad was driving rather slowly when from the back seat, Mom suggested that "He speed it up!!" According to the story, dad stopped the car, turned around and announced "If you don't like how I drive, why don't you just get out & walk!!!" Mom decided he was the rudest man in the world & had nothing further to say on that long ride home. Little did she know that in the future, that smart alleck boy was to one day be her husband!!! And that marriage lasted 68 years. In November, 1941, Thanksgiving DayJack & Betty married at Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City. The reception was held at Mom's parents' home. Grandma Hines cooked 10 turkeys!!! After their marriage, Dad worked at the Chevy dealership in the parts dept. December 7, 1941 changed everybody's lives forever. These young, kids were about to face war and the loss of innocence. The GREATEST GENERATION was born!! Dad volunteered so he could go into the Navy. He was stationed at Olathe Naval Air Station in Olathe, Ks. He started in the emergency Fire Dept. He told the sad story of taking care of a plane crash carrying a group of Navy Waves. In 1943, he was shipped out to Treasure Island, Calif. During this time, Jack Jr was born in 1944. Soon after, dad was sent to the Philippines as part of the Combat Seabees of the Western Pacific in WW II. War ended Aug, 1945 & Dad returned home as so many young men did, hoping to find a job. Due to his wonderful & talented mechanical skills, he was fortunate to find work in the garage at Sealtest Dairy in Kansas City, Mo. In the spring of 1946, Mom & Dad bought a house for $6750FURNISHED!!! Then in 1948, their daughter, Jan was born. Dad continued to climb the corporate ladder at Sealtest Dairies. He left the garage to be brought inside to learn sales & leadership. We often kidded dad that oil ran thru his veinsnot blood. When he became sick, we often told him.."DAD!!! All you really need is a good oil change!!" He would look up, smile & wink. In 1950, they bought a home, for $15,000, on Meyer Blvd. Dad had said he would NEVER pay that kind of money for a house!!! Needless to say, mom won & this is where they raised their children. November, 1960, their third child, Ann, was born. Sealtest had changed & was downsizing & there was talk of a transfer to Chicago or New York. Dad's brother, Jim Flanagan, told him of a business opportunity in Temple, Tx. It was an underground utilities company.something that dad had no clue about running. Then words "I can't" was never part of his vocabulary. So in December, 1970, Dad retired as vice- president of Sealtest Dairies and in January, 1971, Mom & Dad sold their home & Sealtest stock & travelled to Texas to start their new career. There was no turning back. Decision was made & nothing to do but move forward. It was J.R. "Jack" Flanagan Construction Co. It was hard hot work in Texasso different from the suits, air conditioning, & meetings back in K.C. Dad sold the company in 1978. Not quite ready to settle into retirement, Dad managed the truck fleet for B.F.W. Construction for a few years. Dad was a wheeler dealer when it came to automobiles!!! Mom never knew what would "follow him home". He restored several Model T & Model A Cars. There was no doubt that oil ran thru his veins!! He was instrumental in starting The Wildflower Automobile Club. About 1984, Dad truly settled into retirementhe enjoyed his grandsons,8 in all, and played with his cars. He loved to talk with the boys about lifework.& commitment to God & family. He will always be remembered for his quotes & his eternal optimism. Quotes that the boys & others repeat to this day, such as: "Always look at the glass as half full, instead of half empty!" "When a job has once begun, never finish til it's done. Be the matter great or small, do it right or not at all!!" Dad was the second oldest of 11 children. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty in 2009 , his parents, one brother, & four sisters. He is survived by a son, Jack Jr & his wife, Susan of San Antonio, Two daughters, Jan Janczak & husband, Marty of Temple and Ann Miller & husband, Van of Belton. Also 9 grandchildren & spouses, as well as 7 great grandchildren. A special thank you to Angie Manna. This lady made it possible for Daddy to stay in his home til the last month. We also want to thank Cornerstone Gardens & S&W Hospice for their love & care of Daddy in his final month. Also the Wildflower Antique Car Club who faithfully came for visits & trips to Denny's for breakfast. Last but not least, his little brother, Jim Flanagan. Uncle Jim came often for visitssitting in the garage with "OLE BLU" (Dad's old Mercedes) at their side. They would talk of life & family, then Dad would question Jim about helping to get his driver's license back! Jim would change the subject and suggest a good hamburger or some BBQ for lunch. Dad was ready to go. Service will be held at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home on January 10, Thursday, at 3pm, then he will be laid to rest by our mom at Bellwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Luke's Catholic Church as well as S & W Hospice.