Donald James Flynn

Donald James Flynn, 88 years old, passed away peacefully, with his daughter Julie by his side, March 8 in Garden Grove, California. He was born November 27, 1934 in Peckville, Pennsylvania. Donald was known for being a lifelong learner. After graduating Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C., he continued his higher education at the University of Maryland, for two years until interrupted by a two-year duty of service in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. While on duty there Donald was a member of the Signal Corps, intercepting signals from the Soviet Union. Donald returned to school at University of California, Berkley and received his B.S. Electrical Engineering degree. He then earned his MBA at National University and further pursued and achieved an M.A. Econometrics at California State University, Long Beach. Along the way, Donald also studied Spanish, Russian, German, Western Civilization and Acupressure. He maintained his lifelong good health by always staying active by going to the gym, doing yoga, playing basketball, swimming, bike riding and ice dancing.

Donald's love for learning led to a very accomplished career path which included several different companies and states of residence. The family's relocation adventures were facilitated by his high-level positions at Sylvania in New York, Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto, California, Microwave Associates located in Burlington, Massachusetts and Long Beach, California, Fujitsu Electronics in San Jose, California and lastly as an Instructor of Business Classes at National University. Additionally, Donald was a proud American, devoting 20 plus years to the Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 6-10 in Seal Beach) serving in numerous leadership rolls, conducting hundreds of vessel inspections in the Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbors and as a Boating Safety Instructor. In 2011 he was honored with the Inspector of the Year Award.

Donald is predeceased by his wife, Gerri Leigh Flynn (whom he met ice dancing), parents James Gerald Flynn and Winifred O’Dowd Flynn, his sisters Mary Jane Hamblin (Keith), Nancy Willoughby (Bob) and brother-in-law Bill Jansen. Donald's noteworthy legacy however continues through his siblings, John J Flynn (JoAnn), David Flynn (Sally), and Anita Romero, his children, Julie Flynn Jackson (Lance); Matthew Flynn; Susan Flynn Lopez (Andre), Andrea Swanson (Stuart); Richard Verr and his granddaughters, Kaylee Swanson and Justine (Gigi) Jackson, and a plethora of loving nieces and nephews.

A private family mass will be held on March 29, and internment to be held at Riverside National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 6-10; please contact Julie Jackson for further information.