John J. Flynt Jr.

GRIFFIN, Ga. - Former Congressman John J. Flynt, Jr., age 92, of Griffin, passed away early Sunday morning, June 24, 2007 at his residence. John James Flynt, Jr. was born on November 8, 1914, the only son of John James Flynt, Sr. and Susan Winn Banks Flynt. He was educated in the Spalding County School System and graduated from Georgia Military Academy. After graduating from the University of Georgia (A.B.) in 1936, he attended law schools at the University of Georgia, Emory University, and received an LLB from George Washington University Law School in 1940. In 1936, he received his commission in the United States Army Reserves. Lt. Flynt was assigned to the 6th Horse Calvary Regiment at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He later graduated from Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas and the Command and General Staff College. In World War II, he served as Aide-de-Camp for Brigadier General Robert W. Grow in the 3rd Armored Division in France and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 1944. He later retired a Colonel in the U. S. Army Reserve. Mr. Flynt was appointed Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia from 1939-1941 and 1945-1946. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1947 to 1949, then in 1949, was elected Solicitor General of the Griffin Judicial Circuit and served until 1954. In 1954, Mr. Flynt was first elected to the U. S. House of Representatives from the 4th District of Georgia (later the 6th District) where he served continuously for 13 terms, defeating political newcomer Newt Gingrich in 1974 and 1976. While in Congress, Representative Flynt served as a ranking member of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce and on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He was a strong supporter of National Defense serving on the Defense Subcommittee as well as the Subcommittee for State, Justice, Commerce and the Judiciary. The Congressman also served as Chairman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee). Congressman Flynt is still remembered by many Georgians for his help and services to his constituents, particularly those serving in the Armed Forces. After retiring from Congress in 1979, he returned home to Griffin and joined Robert H. Smalley, Jr. and John M. Cogburn, Jr., creating the law firm of Smalley, Cogburn & Flynt. Mr. Flynt was an organizer and director of the Bank of Spalding County until its merger with Premier Bank, now BB&T Bank. Mr. Flynt was a member of the American Bar Association and Georgia Bar Association for 67 years serving as President in 1954, the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Georgia Farm Bureau, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Phi, lifelong member of the Griffin First United Methodist Church, served on the Board of Trustees at LaGrange College, Georgia Methodist Children's Home and was Chairman of the Board of Visitors at the United States Air Force Academy from 1963 until 1978. He was also a Mason, Elk, Moose, Woodman of the World, Kiwanian and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, where he made the keynote address at the annual meeting in 1958. Mr. Flynt is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Patricia Irby Bradley; daughter, Susan Flynt Stirn of Arlington, Virginia; sons and daughters-in-law, John J. Flynt, III and wife, Susan of Augusta, Georgia and Crisp B. Flynt and wife, Patricia Baker Flynt of Griffin; grandchildren, Laura Flynt Vetter, Anna Flynt, and Crisp B. Flynt, Jr. and Margaret Corrine Flynt; and great-grandchildren, Killian and Zara Vetter. Funeral services for John J. Flynt, Jr. will be held Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Griffin First United Methodist Church. The Reverend Hubert Flanagan and The Reverend Kevin Lobello will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Monday, June 25, 2007 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Griffin First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin, Ga. 30224 or to The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Post Office Box 2525, Macon, Georgia 31203, in memory of Congressman Flynt. To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmcculloughfuneralhome.com . Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com