Donald Joseph Flynn, Ph.D. 1932 - 2016

FLYNN, FITZPATRICK, JACKSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/8/2023 at 20:56:43

Sioux City Journal
22 March 2016

ANTHON, Iowa | Donald Joseph Flynn, Ph.D., 84, of Madrid, Iowa, formerly of Anthon, a true Irishman, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Services will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church in Madrid. Burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Joseph Cemetery at Anthon, Iowa. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sundberg-Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Madrid.

Don was born Jan. 21, 1932, at home, to Edwin and Marguerite (Fitzpatrick) Flynn in Anthon, weighing only 3 pounds.

After graduating from Anthon High School in 1950, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps and attained the rank of sergeant within two years. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Wayne (Neb.) State Teachers College, where he was a track athlete/scholar. He graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Don later received a Master of Science in educational administration from the University of Colorado at Greeley and a doctorate in educational administration from Iowa State University.

Don married Merlene Gertrude Jackson on June 20, 1953, in Oto, Iowa. They were blessed with four children.

He was a lifetime educator, spending many years as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. His career began in Villisca and Ida Grove, Iowa, as a business teacher. Don then became Madrid’s youngest superintendent by age 30. While at Madrid, he spearheaded the design and construction of a new elementary and high school. He greatly enjoyed his years coaching girls’ basketball and softball.

Following a short stay at ISU as an associate professor and director of career education, Don spent the next 15 years as the principal of Perry (Iowa) Middle School. Retiring in 1990, he continued part-time work as the interim superintendent at Van Meter, Iowa, and a supervisor of student teachers for Upper Iowa University.

Don was a member of Madrid Lions Club, Perry Rotary Club, Phi Delta Kappa, National Education Association, Administrator Association, Iowa State Education Association, St. Malachy’s Church in Madrid and the Knights of Columbus.

Don enjoyed golf, reading, snow skiing and attending football games at Iowa. He taught many youths to water ski and build skiing pyramids. He and Merlene enjoyed summers together at their Missouri home at the Lake of the Ozarks where “Papa” loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Jennifer (Johns) Flynn, Jeanne (Chris) Holmes, Paul (Erin) Flynn and Julia (Kirk) Sheehy; grandchildren, Sean (Ally) Flynn, Sarah Flynn (Micah) Knutzen, Katie (Wryan) Holmes Bailey, Kelsey Holmes (Tom Krambeer), Megan (Justin) Flynn Welsh, Andrew Flynn, Ryan Flynn, Stephanie Sheehy and Kimberly Sheehy; and great-granddaughter, Avery Flynn Welsh.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Merlene; his son, Mark; his parents; and a brother, Kenneth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Madrid Action Committee or St. Malachy’s Church.