Timothy Wayne Flannery

Timothy Wayne Flannery was born August 10, 1958, in Martin, Floyd, Kentucky, and died on June 13, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of sixty-six years. His passing is mourned by his wife of thirty-five years: Lori Flannery of Salem, MO; five children: Talora Flanery of Utah, Katherine Lehjika and husband Fox of California, Timothy Flanery and wife Johanna of Utah, Elizabeth Flanery of Utah, and Steven Flanery and wife Christine of Alaska; sister: Merleen Combs of Kentucky; several grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother: Tavis Flanery and by his sister: Janey Hackworth. Tim was born to Roe Merlin Flanery and Ruth Orleen Pucket, both of Floyd County. He was the only member of his family to spell their surname Flannery instead of Flanery. Tim’s father was an eastern-Kentucky coal miner who spoke Latin, while his mother was a local politician. They taught their children to value education, and to serve others, and Tim’s life reflected those priorities. In 1990, Tim married Lori in Anchorage, Alaska. Initially married by a Renaissance court jester, they had their marriage sealed for time and all eternity in the Atlanta, Georgia Temple on Friday 13, 1990. Earning four undergraduate degrees (physics, chemistry, history, and sociology) and two master’s degrees (history and social services), Tim also completed two semesters at War College in Pennsylvania. In addition, he was certified as a commercial and residential electrician, and a HVAC technician, and by The National Center for Construction Education & Research. He held FCC licenses and taught vocational education courses. Tim served in the US Navy on the nuclear submarine USS Nathanael Green. He later achieved the rank of major in the Alaska State Defense Force, for which he wrote Alaska’s long-standing emergency plan. He also had national security clearance for his work with Homeland Security. Tim’s education and experience qualified him for a list of ten persons who were interviewed for candidacy as running mate in a gubernatorial race. Even though he wasn’t selected, neither was anyone else on the list, and Tim felt honored to have been considered. A dedicated supporter of charities, Tim spent a great deal of time serving the March of Dimes and arranging toy donations for foster children. The governor of Kentucky named Tim an honorary Kentucky Colonel for his many hours of volunteer work for the American Red Cross. He and Lori ran a nonprofit organization covering an area the size of West Virginia, which each year helped a vast number of people to achieve their educational goals. Tim was instrumental in helping a friend receive a liver transplant. Whether he found himself in a boardroom meeting or speaking with people less accomplished than himself, Tim always spoke the truth yet was always considerate of others. He stood up for himself, and for those who needed his support. He successfully represented himself in three federal court cases and two state court cases. In his limited spare time, Tim was a voracious reader, enjoyed gunsmithing, and loved to go fishing, including ice fishing. He liked conversations about history, politics, and life in general. He spoke German and could read the extinct East Germanic Gothic language. In the last years of his life, Tim’s closest friends included an Amish man named Moses, and the owner of a local bookstore, and he relished time spent with them. Tim was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he had no fear of death. He believed that dying is like walking into another room, and when cancer claimed his life, he cheerfully moved on to a better world. He will be welcomed there and greatly missed here. Funeral Services for Timothy Wayne Flannery were held Friday, June 28, 2025, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel with Thad Wilson officiating. Additional speakers were Lori Flannery, Ray Williams, Timothy Flanery, and Steve Flanery. His grandchildren played a violin special and additional song selections played were “Wayfaring Stranger”, “When I Sleep No More”, “Elders of Israel”, “Amazing Grace”. Serving as Pallbearers were Steve Flanery, Timothy Flanery, Brian Doogal, Ray Williams, Steve Hawks, Tom Jacobs, Christine Flanery, and Ethan Flanery. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Timothy Flannery and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available.

Timothy Wayne Flannery

August 10, 1958 - June 13, 2025