Richard L. Flynn

Richard Lee Flynn was born February 11, 1956, at Perry, Iowa, the son of Melvin and LorettA Flynn. He passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in Holstein, Iowa, at the age of sixty-two.
Richard was baptized and confirmed at the United Church of Christ. He received his education in the Schleswig Community Schools, where he was an excellent athlete, participating in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Schleswig High School with the class of 1974. On June 7, 1974, Richard enlisted in the United States Army. He served his country as a small arms repairman and was stationed in Germany before being honorably discharged July 25, 1975, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman (M-16 Rifle) and 1st Class (Hand Grenade) awards.
On May 16, 1997, Richard was united in marriage to Mary Lu Jessen, having first met each other in the 5th grade. Following his discharge from the Army, he began his lifelong career as a professional over-the-road trucker. Richard served as a truck driver instructor for Western Iowa Tech for a short time before resuming his over-the-road driving for Hewitt Trucking for the remainder of his career until health issues forced him to retire.
Richard was a member of the American Legion. Fishing was his favorite pastime, which he took very seriously. His favorite spots were fishing in local ponds, under the Decatur Bridge, and Rodney gravel pits. He was a regular at Cabelas. He was also very good with shotguns and enjoyed hunting deer and pheasants and field dressed his trophies immediately. He took his children hunting with him and trained them. He also hunted with friends each year from Topeka, Kansas that would come to go pheasant hunting. Richard was an excellent cook, especially breakfast, but also enjoyed grilling. He also found pleasure in gardening, watching football – the Houston Oilers having been his favorite team, watching HGTV and remodeling and fixing up the house and shopping for home repairs He also enjoyed NASCAR, watching his favorite drivers, and would be totally focused on a race where nothing else mattered. He had the pleasure of attending several races in Kansas, Chicago and Bristol. Richard was a very trusting person, let Mary Lu do work on her own and was very sensitive about things she wanted. He also was a very caring father, but could be stern with the kids. He had never been hospitalized until recently and then became a resident of the Good Samaritan Home in July of this year.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James and Tom; and a nephew, Jimmy. Survivors include: his wife, Mary Lu; one daughter, Jennifer and her husband, John; three sons, Charles and his wife, Kellie; Jesse; and Jason, serving in the Navy; four grandchildren; one sister, Carol; one brother, Ronald and his wife, Beverly; other relatives and friends.