Garland Flournoy

Garland W. Flournoy, age 85, of Richmond, Virginia, departed this world peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025, surrounded by loving family.

Garland traveled extensively throughout Virginia, playing piano performances as a young child. He met the love of his life, Dianne, over the fence between their childhood homes in 1960 and proposed a few years later on a snowy Christmas Eve. They married in 1964, beginning an extraordinary 61-year journey together. Garland and Dianne built their dream home in the country, raised two children whom they loved more than anything in the world, and ultimately realized their lifelong dream of sailing the world together in 2000.

Garland graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1962, founded an insurance company in 1980, was a devoted member of the Rotary Club, and was a cherished member of many faith communities.

Garland had a deep and abiding faith in God and lived each day with a profound sense of appreciation for the extraordinary blessings of life. There were so many blessed moments: their first sail to Bermuda; their sail to the Galapagos; watching the sunrise over Haleakala and moonbows over Kauai; watching children chase bubbles in Tanzania as Amazing Grace played on the jeep radio; and sitting just feet away from the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The moments Garland counted as most precious were the Christmas Eve he walked Dianne back from midnight mass and proposed to her, and the first moments he held each of his children in his arms.

Garland was a brave adventurer, a passionate sailor, and a devoted family man who would move mountains to care for his family. His faith, gratitude, steadfastness, and love were truly extraordinary.

Garland is survived by his beloved wife Dianne; his children Hunter and Leah, and their husbands Brad and Jud; his grandchildren Jessica and Olivia; and his sister Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Basil and Doris Flournoy.

Garland's family and friends take comfort in the words he spoke before departing on his sailing journey around the world: "You do everything you can to prepare yourself; you do everything you can to prepare your boat; but ultimately, you are in God's hands." A burial at sea will be held for the family.