Thomas Lee Flynn, 43
Thomas Lee Flynn passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, in Port Orford, Ore. Tom died while helping his brother to save his mother after she slipped into the surf along the coast. Tom was visiting the coast with part of his family to scatter his father's ashes.
Tom, born Dec. 14, 1961, in Portland, Ore., to Pamela and David Flynn spent his early years living in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated in Eatonville, Wash., in 1980.
Tom attended college at Central Washington, and then served his county in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 until 1987, when he was honorably discharged. He was stationed in England and South Carolina.
He met his first wife, Wendy, in Colorado while attending Tech School, and his first son, Josh, was then born in England in 1983. Ian, his second son was born in South Carolina in 1985.
After his time in the service, the family moved to Arizona and then California. Shortly after moving to Sacramento, Tom and Wendy divorced. He then attended college while raising his two boys. Later, he moved to North Idaho to be near other family members.
He started working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1994 at the Priest Lake Ranger District. He found outdoor work to be interesting and challenging. He spent the next 11 years working in trails, silviculture, tree improvement, and finally crew chief at the Grouse Creek and Dry Creek Orchards for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Tom lived in the Sandpoint area where his kids attended school. Tom met his wife, Monika, while working at the Priest Lake Ranger District, and they were married in 2000. Tom and Monika later divorced in 2004.
Tom attended college at Spokane Community College working toward a degree in horticulture.
He continued working at the Forest Service up until his death.
Tom leaves his sons, Josh Flynn and Ian Flynn; a sister, Martha Nielson of Beavercreek, Ore., a brother, David Flynn of Sandpoint, Idaho, Brian Flynn of Sagle, Idaho; nieces and nephews, Eric Nielsen of Beavercreek, Annie Nielson of Flagstaff, Ariz., Ben Flynn and Hans Flynn, of Sandpoint, and Brianne Flynn of Eugene, Ore. cousins Don Flynn of Gold Beach, Ore., and Bill Flynn of Spokane, Wash., Nancy Hatfield of Hillsboro, Ore., Mike Wilkinson, Mark Wilkinson and Mathew Wilkinson; and an uncle, Mel Wilkinson of Boring, Ore.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 3, 2005, at the Sandpoint Community Center at 204 South First, Sandpoint, Idaho. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be served. Those wishing to donate a gift or flowers may send it to the Flynn residence at: 443 Kirpal's Way, Sagle, Idaho, 83860.