Edward Flynn

1948 - 2021

Edward Flynn Jr.

December 30, 1948 September 30, 2021

It is with absolute sadness we announce the passing of Edward Flynn Jr. on September 30th, 2021 at the age of 72. His last breath was taken with his wife and two daughters right by his side, holding his hands. He was born December 30th, 1948 in Santa Monica, California. He lived in the San Bernardino mountains for the most part of his childhood with his parents and siblings. Driving Go-Karts, playing baseball, and on the basketball court is how he kept so active. He graduated from Rim of the World High School in Crestline in 1966 and quickly after his family moved to Santa Maria in 1967.

It was there he met his wife Deby, after seeing her working at Patterson's Tape City. His words were, She was the prettiest girl in town, so I knew she had to be mine. They got married in the Santa Cruz mountains in a Catholic church on the 4th of July in 1973. A fun celebration occurred afterwards at Deby's Family's cabin where they cut their wedding cake in their bathing suits. Ed worked at G & O Production for a few years while traveling with Deby and playing tennis at the Santa Maria Country Club. Ed became a father in 1976 and it was such an easy job for him to do. He was a natural and would come home at lunch and leave the job early to spend time with his little girl, Kelly.

He decided to become a general contractor and taught himself the trade, which he did for the rest of his life. Central Coast Properties is the business he had for 45 years and was still doing various projects and remodels. He had property on Clark Ave that he sold to start building and developing Oak Hill Estates in 1980. His second daughter, Shannon, was born in 1981 and the big wooden house on Deer Run Lane is where they lived with their completed, loving family.

Ed loved spending time at their cabin at Nacimiento Lake. Friends, family, neighbors, he invited everyone up there and always had a great time. He would be skiing behind his beautiful 1986 Miller boat and would jump across the entire wake from edge to edge and finish by spraying everyone that was sitting on the dock. He taught so many family and friends how to ski behind that boat. His famous line was, Oh you're getten' up this time for sure, and they always did. Club Med vacations were his favorite, he would let loose and be the life of the party. He would take his wife for a couples get away trip and also took the whole family a few times. He was everywhere, and somehow did everything, he would attend every school function, performance, and awards assembly for his girls.

A huge portion of his life was dedicated to coaching his daughters in every sport they played. He touched so many people's lives through coaching. Many girls have said the impact he had on their lives is something they will treasure forever. They use things he instilled in them even in their adult lives and with their own children. His players always wanted to make him proud, he was tough but loving all at the same time. The balance was perfect. He worked hard as a coach and in return his players always worked hard for him.

He was greatly involved in church, went on a mission trip to Guatemala, read the bible multiple times, and practiced being a good Christian every day of his life. To say that he would give you the shirt off his back is an understatement. He has given so much of his time, effort, and energy to help others and expected nothing in return. If you needed anything, Ed Flynn was always there to help you.

He always had a love of cars and was known for his 66 Chevelle when he was younger. More recently he restored a '57 Nomad and '66 GTO. He would go to car shows and would spend hours on the computer buying and selling parts to cars. Being in the garage working on those cars made him happy and he enjoyed the end result.

There was no doubt that he had a special love for his grandkids. The huge smile and joy on his face when they entered the room was easily noticed. He often let them do whatever they wanted when his own daughters watched in shock and would say Dad would have NEVER let us do that He attended every sporting event for them as well, always sitting right behind home plate, or in the first row, as close as he could get.

Ed lived a full life, he accomplished so much; he was loved deeply by so many people. Everyone knew when he walked in the room, his presence was mesmerizing. You were very lucky to know him. If you were a family member, life-long friend, someone he built a house for, player he coached, acquaintance, or someone he ran into at Home Depot, your life was a little better by knowing Ed Flynn. In his family's eyes, there was nothing average about him; he was the best at everything. If you could do something, he could do it better. The phrase work hard, play hard summed him up and was something he lived by every day. In past conversations, he used to say, Yeah, I may have been a little rough on my body, but its all worth it.

He is survived by his wife, Deby, daughters, Kelly and Shannon, and grandkids, JJ, Kayla, and Easton. He is also survived by sisters, Barbara and Kadi, nephews Trey and Jason and family, and many Gocke cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edward, mother, Barbara, half brother Don, and half sister, Bonnie.

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 16th at 3:00pm and the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. Please join the family in remembering Big Ed.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.