Obituary for Samuel Flanigin

Samuel R. Flanigin

November 21, 1924 – May 3, 2017

Flanigin, Samuel R. “Sam”, age 92, longtime Ponca City resident passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017 in Ponca City.

A requiem mass will be held at 10:00AM Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Grace Episcopal Church in Ponca City with Reverend Dr. Dee Wellington Bright, Sr. officiating. Following the ceremony, he will be laid to rest in the columbarium at Grace Episcopal Church next to his beloved wife Rosa. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Samuel was born on November 21, 1924 to Herman Floyd Flanigin, Sr., and Nell K. Foster Flanigin in Olive, OK the third son of six children. He was raised in the area around of Tulsa, graduating from Talala High School. As a young man, Sam was active in sports, especially basketball. After high school, Sam joined the Navy serving in Hawaii during WWII. Following the war, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. Sam’s stint at OSU left him a lifelong fan, supporting Cowboys football and basketball, never really getting into professional sports until Thunder basketball came to Oklahoma City. In 1956, Rosa Lee Grueser became his wife at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Rosa Lee and Samuel moved their family to Ponca City in the summer of 1969. He went to work for Northern Oklahoma College until he left in the early 1980’s. Shortly thereafter, he began working in the Kay County Court Clerk’s office in Newkirk until retirement in the early 1990’s. Sam primarily taught electronics at NOC as well as occasional photography night classes. Both of those subject matters were dear to his personal pursuits, in addition to woodworking. His involvement with photography, woodworking and tinkering with electronics inspired his children, all of which have a penchant for photography, including his daughter Linda who has embraced it professionally. Sam was not a man of many words, but the words he spoke were generally of importance, espousing wisdom. Excellence in all things was a strong driver of Sam’s character and he encouraged his children to pursue the same. Loyalty also defined Sam’s life, evidenced in the dedication to his family. He remained close to his brothers throughout his life and maintained and nourished his relationship with his sons and daughters. The latter days of his late wife Rosa were challenging due to her failing health, but Sam remained strong and by her side to care for her with all that he had.

Survivors include his sons: Dan Flanigin of Ponca City, Don Flanigin and wife Robyn of Miami, FL, daughters: Linda Hemken and husband Dan of Pensacola, FL, Roberta Leckie and husband Clyde of Sparks, NV, brother in law Roy Grueser and wife Charlotte of Midwest City, OK, sisters in law Becky Gardella of Portland OR, Thelma Flanigin of Little Rock, AR, grandchildren: Diana Johnson and husband James, Daniel Hemken and wife Debra, Deborah McLaughlin and husband Dave, David Hemken and wife Angi Vecchioni-Hemken, Sharon Flessas and husband Constantine, Samuel Hemken, Justin Flanigin, Brandon Flanigin and wife Kimberly, Jenna Flanigin,, Renee Leckie and Danielle Leckie, great grandchildren: Connor Flanigin, Brenden Johnson, Shane Johnson, Nora McLaughlin, Levi McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, Penelope Flessas and Timothy Flessas mamny nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends..

Sam was preceded in death by his cherished wife Rosa, parents, infant sister, Sue Flanigin, brothers: Herman Flanigin, Jr., Ben Flanigin, Al Flanigin, and Bill Flanigin, sister in law Kay Flanigin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 109 N. 13th, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home