Michael Philip Flagg

Michael Philip Flagg
July 19, 1952 - July 22, 2025
Mike was born to Bonnie and Ken Flagg on July 19, 1952 in Mount Vernon, WA and passed away on July 22, 2025 at Skagit Valley Hospital. He attended Mount Vernon High School and received his GED while in the Navy. After high school, Mike worked various jobs. He worked for Musser's Hardware and local refinery shutdowns. In February, 1974 he joined the US Navy and was honorably discharged in February of 1978. While in the Navy, he was a boiler technician on the USS Midway and later on the USS Coral Sea. In 1975, while on the Midway, he was part of Operation Frequent Wind. The mission of Operation Frequent Wind was to rescue civilians from Vietnam after the war ended.
For a time, he worked in Alaska at a fish processing cannery. He then worked for Alf Christianson Seed Company as a seed mill operator and performed other field duties for over 31 years.
Mike loved to hunt and fish throughout the Northwest. He once caught a 41 pound salmon on the Skagit River and hunted throughout the valley for ducks and pheasants.
Mike loved music and was a drummer at various venues with other musicians in the valley in the 70s. He was a meticulous gardener and his garden was always healthy, without a weed in sight. He canned and preserved fruits and vegetables that he grew in his garden. Mike liked to cook and bake and always produced quality meals for himself and friends to enjoy. His friends were very important to him.
Mike was predeceased by his parents and survivors include: sister Sharon Bumgarner of Mount Vernon, brother Randy Flagg (Teresa) of Mount Vernon, sister Julie Newman (Phil), of Burlington; nieces Kelly van Valey, Jenna Flagg, Ashley Troha-Ibarra (Behr), Alicia Troha, (Rusty Johnston); great nephews Angus, Finley, and Baylor van Valey, Rio and Taiyo Ibarra-Troha and great niece Milana Ibarra-Troha. He is also survived by longtime neighbor Russell Roeder.
A memorial service with military honors is planned for Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at the Bayview Cemetery, 12513 Bayview Cemetery Road, Mount Vernon, WA. Donations in Mike's name may be made to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233.