Kenneth Dewayne Flynn

Kenneth Dewayne Flynn, only child, born August 17, 1935 in Minot, North Dakota to Willard O. and Sigrid (Kjelland) Flynn.  Kenneth passed away peacefully in his sleep September 19, 2018 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice Nadine (Ellison) Flynn; his son, Duke Flynn; daughters, Debra Read (husband, Dennis), and Trudi Flynn; and his grandchildren, Laney Williams (husband, Terry) and Corey Lambert.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Robin Flynn.

Ken graduated from Minot HS in 1953 and was a Class A All-State basketball player.  Ken then married his high school sweetheart, Jan.  He graduated from NDSU in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, attended on a basketball scholarship, was an All-Conference selection and MVP in 1957 and remained an involved alumna.  He was a member of Honorary Engineering Fraternities Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu.  Accepted a position at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque and retired a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff after 40.5 years of employment. During his lifetime he was an athlete; active in many sports including golf, softball, flag football, skiing, and was a qualified ocean sailor.  He was an adventurous man and after retirement he and Jan traveled the world.  He enjoyed many sailing excursions abroad and enjoyed cuisines of the world. From 55 until 80 years old Ken was actively involved in competition basketball through local, state, and national Senior Olympics.   A strong believer in education, Ken encouraged and supported his children and grandchildren in their educational pursuits. He had a playful, teasing sense of humor and was pleased to regale many of his favorite stories and memories of his youth, his family, friends, and his adventures to all.  Ken was a dedicated friend and family man who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in 1985 and was a member of Christian Center, Jesus Fellowship, and then Christian Fellowship Church until his passing.  While Albuquerque was his home for most of his adult life, his heart was in North Dakota, where his family had homesteaded, and where he will be laid to rest.

A Memorial Celebration of his Life will be held Friday, October 12, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas, with reception to immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Mexico Senior Olympics, in his name.