Melvin "Mel" Leroy Flenker, Jr.

Mel went to be with his Lord, and Savior, in the morning hours of November 7, 2025, at the Residence at Alive Hospice, in Nashville, TN. He was born December 7, 1948, in Davenport, IA, to the late Melvin L Flenker, Sr and Mae Caroline Mary Schulz Flenker. He graduated from Davenport West in 1967 and received his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa, devoting his life to caring for people through careful oversight of their pharmaceutical needs. Mel married Andrea Gray on May 26, 1979, until 1996. Their marriage was blessed with two wonderful sons, Chris and Travis. He married Jennifer Maas on February 2, 2005.

He was a lifetime Iowa Hawkeye Alumni Club Member, and enjoyed cheering for the Hawks, no matter what the sport. Mel took part in the Bix-7 numerous times over its 51-year history, including his most recent completion in 2024. One of his greatest joys was being called to the mission field in 2020 to Guatemala, a trip that had a great impact on his life. He was also an active member of the Calvary Baptist Slackers Bible Class.

If you ever wondered about something, Mel was the walking source for all things “trivia.” He passionately absorbed material just in case it was needed later. One of his favorite facts was stumping people who tried to guess the “fourth largest city in the United States.” When he wasn’t sharing his trivia knowledge, he was passing along his newest “dad joke.”

Following his retirement, Mel and Jennifer relocated to Tennessee. Shortly after moving, he received the diagnosis that would change his life. He faced the journey with strength and dignity for those around him. Though a difficult journey, when you saw Mel in public you were always amazed at how he continued to smile and stay active. Travel and pickleball became greater interests and he made the most of both activities. Some of his most enjoyable trips were back to Iowa and Arizona to visit his sons and his sisters.

In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by a sister: Donna McGraw in June 2025.

He is survived by his wife: Jenniver Maas Flenker of Columbia, TN; two sons: Chris (Whitney Hirth) Flenker and Travis (Emily Barwick) Flenker of Cedar Rapids, IA; his dear sisters: Shirley (Dale) Hansen of Wisconsin, Kathy (Paul) Blumer of Arizona, and Cindy Stark of Illinois. He is also survived by the mother of his children: Andrea Bryant; and Jennifer’s daughter (and family): Marcey (Christopher) Taylor of Columbia, TN; Russell Taylor of New Orleans, LA and Cynthia (Corey) Winter of Huntsville, AL; and numerous extended family members.

Per his requests, Mel’s life will be celebrated with friends and family in Iowa. A Celebration of Life gathering will take place Saturday, November 15 at the Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids, IA from 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Words of Comfort will be offered by Pastor Bruce Martin, Calvary Baptist Church of Muscatine, IA, beginning at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, online at https://uihc.org/childrens or by mail to University of Iowa Center for Advancement, c/o Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550.