Franklin Theodore Flynn (“Ted Flynn”)
Ted Flynn passed away at the age of 67 on Tuesday morning, July 9th, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana due to complications from heart surgery. Ted was comforted by his close family at the time of his passing.
Ted was born and raised in Townsend, Montana on the family ranch which inspired his love for the outdoors. Ted was an avid outdoorsman from an early age, enjoying hunting, fishing and working on the ranch. Growing up, Ted enjoyed playing sports (especially basketball and baseball) and took over the upstairs of the ranch barn to create the Flynn Gym. Ted’s high school team went to State in 1963 and then he played many years on the “Flynn Team”.
Ted joined the Air Force which led him to a tour in Okinawa. Ted was promoted to Captain and was the Chief Maintenance Officer for multiple aircraft. Ted always wanted to be a pilot but was color blind and got as close to the planes as he could.
Ted’s thirst for knowledge led him to multiple college degrees following the service but ultimately he would return home to run the Ranch. After returning to run the ranch full time, he was instrumental in expanding the Ranch and growing the operation. His love for the ranch and the country was always on his sleeve and knew every hill, draw, and “road” like the back of his hand.
Ted was an avid reader, many times finishing a book a day or more. Ted also had a great love for playing cards. Ted spent many a night with family and friends playing cribbage, pitch, and many others at the cabin.
Ted was known for many things over his lifetime including a lead foot, short patience (except with the grandkids), his ability to combine cuss words into new and unique ways, throwing bad decks of cards into the fire, bad luck on horses, a green thumb, his community involvement including Bible Camp, the ability to make a 5 star meal out of mystery meats, hunting, fishing, his love for his kids, grandkids, and extended family. Most will also remember his love for the Dry Creek Cabin (his second home) and his role in ensuring its heritage for the community.
Ted enjoyed a wonderful week before his surgery at a Bible Camp, fishing with his sons at the Ross Gulch pond, and gathering with at the Dry Creek Cabin with all of his kids, grandkids and close friends.
Ted is survived by his two sons, Warren (Becky) and Eric (Ashley), his sister Claudia, aunt Louise, and his grandkids Cassidy, Colby, Hudson, and Quinten. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lorena and his brothers, Billy and John (Debbie).
Visitation will take place at 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2013 at the Trailhead Church. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:00 am in the Townsend High School Gym. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ted’s name are suggested to the Flynn Ranch Scholarship Fund, 674 Flynn Lane, Townsend, MT 59644.
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday July 12, 2013
Trailhead Christian Fellowship
Townsend, MT 59644
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday July 13, 2013
Townsend High School Gymnasium
201 N. Spruce St.
Townsend, MT 59644
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Gene Huntington says
My condolences to the family. I will always remember Ted for his generosity and friendship during our days at the University and many years at Bible Camp.
John & Barb Cribb says
Ted Flynn was a gift! We were always delighted to see and talk to him at Bible camp over the years. He will be missed by every friend, acquaintance, family member, and anyone who was lucky enough to shake his hand. Again, he was a gift! John and Barb Cribb
Doug Sitton says
Ted was a good man and will be missed by many. I have great memories of the Townsend City League basketball games and tournaments we all played in. Ted was a fierce competitor and a great ball player. He was an inspiration to all of us in many different aspects of life. God rest your soul Ted and we’ll see you on the other side.
Tim rauser says
i have many memorys of ted but the one i like is when he would tell me how to test a woman to marry.1. can she fill her car up with gas.2. can she milk a cow.3. put a backpack on her and see if she can make it to baldy lake without complaining. he was one of my hunting heroes and i’ll sure miss the storys. He was my friend who taught me alot in my younger days, gonna miss him
Ron Harris (ex CEO Ranch America) U.K says
What sad news. I met Ted and his family on my second visit to Montana many years ago. Ted was a hard nut to crack, always true to his word and someone I could place complete trust in.. He was always ready to listen to my suggetions as to increasing UK visitors to Montana and the Flynn Ranch and fullfilling the dream of so many visitors of becoming a cowboy.
Ted. you were a credit to the State of Montana and will be sorely missed..
Steve and Jean Sautter says
Our sympathies, condolences, and thoughts are with Ted’s family. We wish you solace in the coming days and weeks.
Chuck Box says
Ted was one of the first real ranchers to embrace the idea of hosting international guests on a working ranch and he was ahead of his time. We became friends and I bought a kid’s saddle from him that all three of our girls learned to ride on. He’ll be missed and I regret not catching up with him over the last few years.
Cal and Randi Nehring says
It was our priviledge to have known Ted. Just a super person. Our thoughts, prayers and sincere sympathy are with the family.
Olga Mazzoni/RMI ITALY says
We will always keep strong memories of Ted and his ranch, his kind hospitality, his generosity and his passion for nature, people and the great plains of Montana.
Rest in peace dear Ted.
Olga Mazzoni and Team
Eric and Lacey Forrey says
Our deepest sympathies to all of the Flynn Family. We will always remember Ted’s generosity and great personality. He was truly one of a kind and we are privelaged to have known him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill Schwanke says
Ted and I pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity at the University of Montana in 1963. I remember Ted from our college days as just a solid individual, a no-nonsense guy who took his studies seriously and seemed to have great focus. Unfortunately, as with many such situations, I never saw or heard anything of Ted for several years until one year, when I was the radio voice for Grizzly football and basketball, I was doing a game against the Bobcats in Bozeman. The Bobcats won on a buzzer beater, so I was preparing to do final statistics and the post-game interview – never much fun, especially after a close loss to your arch rival – when I felt this presence standing in front of me. I looked up and saw what looked like this giant cowboy, jean jacket, hat and all, and thought, “Oh, ____, I’m going to have to take some grief from this guy.” It was Ted, and I told him he had scared the you-know-what out of me! We had a short visit, certainly not enough to catch up. Then two years ago, I was doing Loyola football on the radio and went to Townsend to call a game there. I called Ted, and we met up several hours before kickoff, had lunch, and then took a tour of his ranch and home, both of which he was extremely proud of. We did catch up, and I realized he hadn’t changed a bit since college except that maybe he worked even harder. I feel so blessed that I had that opportunity, because I would have missed learning his story, and that would have been sad. Rest in peace, Ted.
Tim Ravndal says
I had a special treat today at the service when a long time friend of Ted’s spoke of the pickups and how they were held together. When I first met Ted, I had been working as a mechanic with Ford, and it is through the job security that I saw in the Flynn Ranch, that I opened my own repair shop. (laugh) There were certainly challenges in keeping those Fords running to make one more trip up the mountain. I will always remember the honesty and integrity that shined through Ted and I will miss that special smile. My condolences to the family.
Darrell & Gay Nichols says
We offer our condolences to the Ted Flynn family.
Bob Flynn says
Ted was more than my cousin, he was my best friend. We spend countless hours together growing up both at the ranch and the cabin. My last memory of Ted was last summer when we spent several hours together at the cabin while he prepared for a Bible Camp. He absolutely loved the cabin and it’s fitting he spent time there the last week and will be there for eternity. Bon Voyage old friend.. Happy hunting, fishing and cooking.
Eileen Bieniek, Germany says
My condolences to the family. I will always remember the great times I had during the ranch vacations and the many things that I learnt from Ted. RiP!
Gordon Spunich says
Ted was a class mate of mine at the University of Montana and we went through AFROTC together for two years. After two years at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base I was assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. After arriving at Kadena one evening I went to the Kadena Officers Open Mess for a beer and a meal. There, much to my surprise, sat Ted and Dalyce. Here I was thousands of miles away from my home and my wife and I re-connected with two college class mates. Eventually my wife, Jill, joined me in Okinawa and Ted, Dalyce, Jill and I had many fond memories on Okinawa, the Keystone of the Pacific. After we both, Ted and I, separated from the service and we settled down to civilian lives, I took my family to Townsend to visit the Flynns. We stayed at the Dry Creek cabin and were treated to Montana steaks as only Ted could prepare them. I didn’t hear from Ted this past Christmas and I send him a letter several months ago with no answer. I have taken news of Ted’s passing with a tear in my eyes as he was a fine friend for many years. I miss him. Gordon Spunich
John Paine says
So sorry to hear the sad news. Spent two vacations with Ted,one with my son Pete where he taught us more about cowboying and wildlife than anyone else could. Farewell old pal and meet you in the big round-up one day. John and Pete Paine.
Jim Mullins says
Ted and I have been out of contact for a few years, I was saddened to hear of his passing. As always at times like this I only wish that I had taken the time to drive the few hundred miles to visit. We served together in the Montana Air National Guard and spent many days with Ted and the “hunting crew” at the Dry Creek cabin. But even more pleasant are the memories of times spent with Ted and Dalyce, he was a great friend and companion. I will miss him.
We are diminished.
Jim Mullins