Dr. James Stanley Flynn Jr.

Published 2:18 am Sunday, December 14, 2014

Dr. James Stanley Flynn Jr. passed away Dec. 11, 2014, in Bowling Green.

A native of Gallatin, Tenn., Jim was born June 1, 1944, in Nashville. He was the son of the late James Stanley Flynn Sr. and Evelyn (Brackin) Flynn.

Jim is survived by his beloved, spirited wife of 51 years, Lana (Jones) Flynn of Bowling Green; son Dr. James Stanley Flynn III (Natalie) of Franklin; daughter Jennifer Flynn Sloan (Scott) of Gallatin, Tenn.; brother Dr. John Charles Flynn (Kay) of Nashville; brother-in-law Judge John Wesley Jones (Sandra) of Gallatin; five grandchildren, James Bracken Flynn, John Hunter Flynn, Bretton Elizabeth Flynn, Samantha Kate Sloan and Matthew Flynn Sloan; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and his little dog, Ceili.

Jim was a graduate of Western Kentucky University (B.A., M.A.) and Auburn University (Ph.D.). He first attended WKU in 1962 and returned as a faculty member in 1972, completing more than 40 years of service at WKU. Jim taught English literature, specializing in the Middle Ages: “gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.” He was an early and regular teacher and director of study abroad courses, leading many classes to England, Ireland and Italy.

Jim held many administrative and campus leadership roles, including head of the English Department, interim head of the Art Department (twice), assistant to the provost, chair of the Academic Council, interim dean of the University College and interim chief international officer. 

Jim chaired the Kentucky Association of Departments of English and was awarded the University Public Service Award in 1984. He co-authored a writing handbook with Dr. Joe Glaser and presented and published articles on a range of professional topics. He did postgraduate study at Princeton University, Indiana University, University of Connecticut and University of Colorado. 

His hobbies included hiking, traveling, reading and cheering on the WKU Hilltoppers. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of Phi Kappa Phi national academic honor society and the EQB Literary Club. He was a communicant of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Jim loved spending time with his family and friends and was overwhelmed with gratitude for the kindness and support he received from them, especially during his illness. He loved his family members deeply and valued the joy they brought to his life.

Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. today at J.C. Kirby & Son, Lovers Lane chapel. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Cremation was chosen. Private inurnment will be in the WKU Columbarium, Chandler Memorial Chapel, on the campus of Western Kentucky University.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Jim and Lana Flynn Study Abroad Scholarship Fund in the Department of English, c/o College Heights Foundation, 1906 College Heights Blvd., No. 41016, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101.