Douglas M. Flynn

The world has lost a true Southern gentleman. After a long struggle to recover from a fall, Douglas Flynn passed away on February 18, 2023. He was born to the late Ethel and Homer Flynn in Irvine, Kentucky. An above-average high school student, he excelled in baseball and basketball, earning the nickname "shooter", and going with his team to the Kentucky State championships in 1948. After high school he joined the United States Air Force and then completed a bachelor's degree at Eastern Kentucky University and a Masters' degree at Vanderbilt University on the GI bill. He taught Chemistry at Tennessee Tech and Wilson Community College in Chicago and was a seasonal park ranger for five summers in Zion National Park. The southwest was dear to his heart, a place he visited often. In 1962 he joined the chemistry staff at Diablo Valley College in California, a job he loved for over 32 years where he joyfully interacted with wonderful colleagues and students. During those years he pursued his interests in air pollution and volcanology, using sabbaticals for investigations in these areas. Doug was a man of all-encompassing pursuits. An avid reader he loved history, nature, politics, music. He loved being outdoors, enjoying hiking, camping, climbing, raising race horses. In developing his property in Benicia he learned many building skills: plumbing, heating, and wiring, and enthusiastically rode his tractor, abating weeds and grass. A zealous animal-lover, he insisted that any dog or cat who wandered up must be given a home. Doug loved to travel the world and to visit his roots, crossing the country over 50 times to return to his beloved home town Preceded in death by his brother Shirley, he leaves behind his wife of 62 years Mary Lou, his children Patrick, Sally, Richard, (Patricia), grandson Orion, his sisters Martha, (Ed), Pauline, and numerous dear nephews. Doug loved life and lived it fully. His family will greatly miss his wonderful smile, his strength, his positive attitude, his sense of humor. Our grief knows no bounds. Remember his message: "Every day is a gift." Gifts in his memory may be made to the DVC Student Scholarship Fund, Pleasant Hill, CA Visitation will be Wednesday starting at 2:00 pm followed by a Vigil service at 6:00 at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West Second Street, Benicia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Thursday at St. Dominic’s Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia. Burial with Military Honors will be held 10:30 am Friday at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

Douglas M. Flynn

August 14, 1930 - February 18, 2023