John M. Flagg

John M. Flagg 1/14/1929 - 4/28/2011 John passed away peacefully in his home after a six month battle with cancer. He was born in Des Moines, IA and raised in Dorchester, MA. After graduating from Boston Technical High School, he served four years in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Northeastern University, Boston, in 1958 and with his wife, Sylvia, moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. He was employed by RCA and Pan American Airways before taking an Engineering position at Hughes Aircraft, where he spent the next 25 years. Much of this time was spent on the Maverick Missile. After retiring in 1987, they moved to Melbourne, FL, where he worked in the Manufacturing Group of DBA Systems, Inc. Returning to Tucson in 1990, he attended Pima Community College where he received his Associate Degree in Computer Programming. John is survived by his wife of 54 plus years; children, Jay (Ann), Lee, Brett, Andrea Blackburn (Randy), Christina; and sister, Gloria Gastaldo (Vincenzo). He is affectionately known as GRANDPA GROUCH by his two granddaughters, Dana Powers (Jeremiah) and Leeann Flagg, as well as his "adopted" grandchildren, Patrick Oskvarek, Lin, Mykal, and Wesley Watts. We hope the soon-to-be-born great-granddaughter, Mya Powers, will continue this nickname. John loved playing with his computer and also enjoyed golf, hiking, bowling, and the UofA Women's Basketball team. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 8051 E. Broadway, with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Man Ministries, PO Box 1962, Gilbert, AZ 85299 or the UofA Women's Basketball Team, c/o Wildcat Club, PO Box 210096, Tucson, AZ 85721. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE CREMATION AND BURIAL.