Tom Flenniken

John Thomas “Tom” Flenniken was born to Mary Louise and John Alva Flenniken on April 25, 1935, in Los Angeles, California.  On November 22, 2022, at the age of 87, he peacefully passed from this life to reunite with his mother, his father and his brother, Jim Flenniken. 

Tom had a Master’s Degree in Education and taught for five years for Los Angeles Unified School District and twenty-five years for the Anchorage School District in Anchorage, Alaska.  In the early years in Alaska, he spent part of the summer working on fishing boats in the Aleutian Islands before joining family in Arkansas and California for the remainder of the summer. 

He lived an active life traveling with his wife and daughter during school breaks.  He was a passionate football fan and believed in staying in shape by walking, running and lifting weights.  Along with his granddaughter, Andrea, he was a knowledgeable and expert coin collector.  His dream after retirement was to serve a mission with his wife for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of which he was an active member. Although he never realized this dream, his mission was to serve his family by caring for his mother and mother-in-law in their last days.  He was dedicated to his church service and was particularly mindful of those in need, showing great generosity in serving, helping and visiting others.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Flenniken and his daughter, Stephanie McPherson and her husband, Rodney, who both lovingly cared for him during his final years of life.  He was “Papa” to four grandchildren, Andrea Hatchell and her husband, Don, Jake Roberson and his wife, Renee, Jesse Roberson, and Katie Fuhriman and her husband, Andrew.  He is great grandfather to Gracie, Wyatt and Kyle Hatchell, Ryker Roberson, Bennett, Harlan and McCoy Roberson and Julee and Kaius Fuhriman.

A graveside service will be held in Gurdon, Arkansas, at the South Fork Cemetery on Wednesday, November 30^th at 11:00 am.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.