J.D. Flanagan, Jr.

July 30, 2012

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16
To his family, colleagues, church congregation, and friends, J.D. Flanagan was a man who was firm in his faith and faithful in loving and caring for his family. J.D. was born on the Flanagan farm south of Goodwell to James David and Macy Ovene (Tune) Flanagan on May 8, 1922. He was raised an only child, and spent many hours of his childhood helping his parents on their farm. J.D. attended Southflat and Texhoma schools before graduating from Goodwell High School. J.D. then attended Panhandle State University. He spent many years as owner-operator of Flanagan Electric. In the 1950’s, he began working for Phillips Petroleum and retired there after 25-plus years of loyal work. While at Phillips, he was privileged to spend six months in Norway working on the Ecofisc drilling platform in the North Sea. J.D. also enjoyed woodworking and had an artistic eye he applied to building his home, sketching architectural plans, and photography. He was an avid reader and in the last few years kept the family busy ordering him new books. He faithfully read every evening to his wife Betty until her death. J.D. loved to learn about countries, cultures, engineering, art and a myriad of other subjects. All who knew J.D. knew he could tell a good story and he enjoyed a listening ear.
It was in Goodwell that J.D. met Betty Pshigoda; he persistently pursued her hand in marriage until she said “yes”. J.D. and Betty were married November 23, 1947 in Guymon, OK, and eventually settled outside of Texhoma, OK. In the following years, they worked the Flanagan family farm outside of Goodwell and had four children: Barbara, Velda, Sherry, and Garlan. During this time, J.D. lent a willing hand building the Texhoma Baptist Church, and was instrumental in establishing, building, and maintaining the Victory Christian School in Texhoma. J.D. was so handy as a jack-of-all-trades that he was nicknamed “Jim Dandy”.
Even after retiring (or, as J.D. stated “I’m not retired, I’m just tired”) J.D. stayed busy working on cars, farming, serving as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, and visiting or hosting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He and Betty had a home that was often filled with much laughter and late night conversation over holidays.
Above all else, J.D. trusted in Jesus Christ and even in the hardest of times he believed these truths: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 11 Corinthians 4.
On Sunday, July 29, 2012, J.D. saw the unseen when he passed from death to life into the eternal presence of Almighty God.
J.D. was preceded in death by his bride of 64 years, Betty; his parents; infant brother J.J.; and one granddaughter, Kerri Denton.
He is survived by his children: Barbara Hisey, Velda (& Stephen) Phillips, Sherry (& Kenny) Denton, and Garlan (& Lisa) Flanagan; grandchildren: Kendall (& Crystal) Hisey, Carl Hisey, Jason (& Rhonda) Hisey, Bryan (& Kristen) Hisey, Matthew Hisey, Flynt (& Jodi) Hisey, Effie Hisey; Natosha (Denton) Legrange, Andrea (Denton) (& Jeremy) Ross; Aaron Phillips, Sara Phillips, Michael Phillips; Christy Flanagan, Kimberly Flanagan, and Corrie Flanagan; greatgrandchildren: Katrina Hisey; Cole Hisey; Tyler, Bradley, and Carley Vandame; Braden and Brett Hisey; Tony Augustine, Breanna and Patrick Donahue; Mikalia, Jasmin, and Mia Hisey; Coby and Skyler Hisey; Aiden and Addison Ross; Matthew and Morgan Fox; Grady LeGrange and his father Greg; great-grandson; Conner Augustin; sister-in-law Elsie Pshigoda; and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday morning, August 2nd at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Texhoma. Interment will follow in the Texhoma Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Wednesday evening, August 1st, from 6-8pm at the Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home in Guymon, OK.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Texhoma, Dunaway Manor in Guymon, or to a charity of your choice. Memorials will be accepted at the Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.