Franklin C. “Frank” Flynn
August 7, 1928 – June 10, 2023
Frank Flynn, 94, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2023 after a short illness. Frank was born on August 7, 1928 in Whitefish, Montana to Harold and Helen (Enders) Flynn.
Dad grew up in Great Falls, MT where he met and fell in love with his future wife Peggy Carmody. They were both 15 years old with birthdays 6 days apart. Dad joined the Army Air Force in 1946. He became a radio operator and instructor, was promoted to Sergeant, and spent the last year of his enlistment in Nanking China.
Frank and Peggy started their 72 year journey as a loving couple on June 4, 1949. They moved to Billings where Dad worked as a TV and radio repairman while earning a degree in engineering. Dad was hired by the Mountain States Telephone Company in 1956 and the family moved to Helena to begin his career with “Ma Bell” until his retirement in 1983. He was promoted several times moving back to Billings, then to Missoula, and finally returning to Helena in 1966 where he happily lived the rest of his life. He then began his next career in partnership with his son Dennis building and operating Valley Farms in Helena. Dad finished this second career in 1994 and, together with Mom, spent the next decade continuing shared adventures with their travel trailer.
Throughout his life, Dad was a builder and a fixer! Never content with “store bought”, he built 2 garages, a fiberglass boat, 2 pickup campers, wired and plumbed 3 houses, and finally built his own airplane. He repaired and maintained everything we owned as well as anything a friend or neighbor brought over for repairs. In the days when we actually repaired our electrical devices, Dad was the guy everyone brought their TVs and radios to for repairs. Later in life, he was one of the original volunteer repairmen for the Montana State Talking Book Library machines.
Dad grew up on motorcycles riding an Indian “hardtail” with his friends from Great Falls to Chicago and then Route 66 to California and back home. He was 15 years old! He finished his riding days on a Harley Davison when he was 86 years old. Dad started building and flying radio control airplanes in 1967 with his son Chuck both of which shared a love of aviation together. He earned a pilot’s license when he was 65 years old! Dad was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past President of the Telephone Pioneers. While he enjoyed all of these activities, he never lost sight of his responsibilities as a husband, father, and head of our family. He loved our mother until the last day of his life and he taught his children and their children his values that we will try to put forth in our lives going forward.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Peggy, his parents, a brother Reg Sabol, a brother Doug Sabol, his sister Marcia’s husband George Kozik, his great granddaughter Ashley Flynn, and Schottzie, his beloved German Shepard.
Dad is survived by his sister Marcia Kozik, sons Chuck (Arlene) and Dennis (Barbara), grandchildren Jennifer Price (Scott), David Flynn, Tony Flynn (Laurie), Daryl McCraw (Aleta), six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and Mary Kay Flynn who has been like a daughter to Dad for over 50 years.
Our family would like to thank the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital for the wonderful care that they gave Dad during the last years of his life. We also would like to thank the staff of Mount Ascension and Enhabit Hospice caregivers Jessica, Aleta, and Paul for their support, kindness, and care that provided comfort for Dad and our family. You were all a blessing during Dad’s final days in our life.
Per Dad’s wishes, there will be a graveside service with military honors at Resurrection Cemetery on Friday, July 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to attend. Memorials are suggested to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Rd, Helena, MT. 59602. www.olvmt.org
Going forward, Dad will be remembered as a humble man with a kind and gentle soul. Someone that everyone enjoyed knowing. A nice man that touched the lives of so many. We were blessed to love him. We miss you and we love you, Dad.
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