John Alexander Flangas

1928 - 2021

John Alexander Flangas

Reno - (1928 - 2021)

John Flangas died at home, surrounded by family, on January 14, 2021. He was 92.

John was born August 9, 1928, in Ely, Nevada to Alexander and Fotene (Faye) Flangas.

The second of four sons, John and his brothers, Bill, Gus, and Ernie (Babe) were raised in Ely where they helped their father and mother build and operate two different motels, the last of which was the Idle Inn. The Flangas family's kitchen table hosted a multitude of friends, relatives and many prominent Nevadans over the years.

John worked from a very young age, from straightening nails for his father to use in construction (following the Great Depression) as a six year old to working as a gandy dancer on the mining railroads in Ruth and McGill, Nevada, when he was 12 and 13.

After completing school at White Pine County HS, John enlisted in the Army at 16, becoming a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. His unit was scheduled to deploy as one of the first groups of U.S. soldiers in Japan in late summer of 1945 with no advance ground support and little chance of survival. But President Truman's decision to drop the first atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, changed everything. John spent 18 months in Japan helping to establish an Airborne jump school where he completed an additional 25 jumps before returning to the U.S.

After returning from military service overseas, John attended several colleges, played football at University of Nevada where he was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity, and eventually developed a passion for writing. In the mid-1950's, John worked as a cub-reporter for the sports section of the San Francisco Examiner where he had the good fortune to meet and befriend the 1954-55 USF Basketball Team which featured Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. In 1957, John obtained his bachelor's degree in Journalism from American University in Washington D.C., and became a member of the National Press Club.

It was 1952 when he met the love of his life, Carmen Segura, on a trip home to Ely, Nevada. After courting on and off for several years, Carmen and John were married on August 18, 1957, in Ely. John never missed an opportunity to tell everyone that he married the most beautiful and intelligent woman in the world. After the wedding, they moved to D.C. so John could attend Law School at American University and work at the Capitol, while Carmen continued her career as a nurse.

During his time in Washington, John took a year off from law school to work on John Kennedy's presidential campaign, touring much of the east. He also worked in the Capitol mailroom and for U.S. Congressman Walter S. Baring, Jr.

While in D.C., Carmen and John had a son, Alex. Following graduation, the family returned to Nevada where John clerked for the Hon. Bruce Thompson in the U.S. District Court in Reno. A longtime member of the Nevada Bar, John was a trial lawyer -- first as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Nevada under both Democratic and Republican Governors, and then in his own private practice which he maintained for more than 30 years. John tried cases before judges in every county in the State of Nevada and in the federal courts in Reno and Las Vegas. And, at each stop, he made certain to meet and befriend all of the court clerks, for whom he had great respect and affection. (He also liked some of the judges.) Notably, while representing the State of Nevada, John also worked together with John Roberts (now U.S. Chief Justice Roberts) on a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court; they were successful in their appeal.

John was proud member of Amity 4 Masonic Lodge in Silver City, having moved through the chairs several times. He was also active with the Reno Silver Sox minor league baseball team in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and was a proud supporter of professional baseball in Nevada.

"Uncle John," as he was known to many, will be remembered for his truly boundless love and dedication to his bride Carmen; his appreciation of and colorful commentary regarding sports (especially his love for referees and umpires); his passion for the A's, Raiders and the Nevada Wolf Pack; his respect for law and policy; his advice, quick wit and humor; the fact that he was always prepared with a joke; his general likeability and charming nature; and his role as Papou to a granddaughter that loved him wholeheartedly. He was a proud native Nevadan, a loving father and a man who - having survived WWII because of one man's vision - saw "everyday as a holiday."

John is survived by his son Alex, granddaughter Nicole, brother Ernie, sister-in-law Marilyn Flangas (Bill), and nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who considered John the best of family. We would like to thank everyone who reached out to John in his last months, especially Tony Tognoni, Amanda Flangas, Susan Oakwood, Chuck and Carol Burr, Tamara Uithoven, and the staff at Kinder Hospice, especially nurse John Corona, for their assistance and support during the last weeks of John's life.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Give Hope Foundation (www.givehopenv.org). At this time, no service is planned due to the current health concerns, but the family may have a celebration of life once we can get together safely. If you would like to express your condolences or share a special memory please visit www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com