7 James Flynn

From the 1952 University of Kentucky Basketball Media Guide:

Another local basketeer overlooked in the selections of All-State teams but quickly grabbed by Kentucky . . . Rupp considered Flynn, a native Lexingtonian who attended University High, a good gamble . . . Made the trip to Puerto Rico with Kentucky last summer and saw considerable reserve action during the exhibition tour . . . He’s big, fast and can be depended on to put up a lot of scrap.

Obituary – James “Jim” Wendell Flynn, Paducah Sun (March 24, 2016)

James (Jim) Wendell Flynn, of Paducah, died Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Lourdes Hospital. Jim was born July 3, 1932 in Lexington, KY to Delina and C.M. Flynn, now deceased. Also, preceded in death was his wife of 56 years, Patricia (Pat) Flynn; two siblings, William (Melvin) Flynn, Dauphin Island, AL and Betty J. Bishop, Lexington, KY.

Jim is survived by two sons, James (Russ) W. Flynn II (Lynda) and Thomas Martin Flynn, all of Paducah, KY; three grandchildren, Katherine Flynn Gardner (William) of South Bend, IN, Chelsea Flynn Blackport (Caleb) of Louisville, KY, and James Corbett Flynn of Bowling Green, KY; two brothers, Robert (Bobby) Flynn of Lexington, KY, Norris Lee (Chig) Flynn of Harrodsburg, KY, two sisters, Nona Flynn Richie of Harrodsburg, KY and Joyce Flynn Bouche of Panama City, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

In Lexington, Jim graduated with a 3.5 GPA from University of Kentucky School of Commerce. While at UK, he played basketball under Coach Adolph Rupp. He also represented UK by playing baseball and golf. Jim was UKÕs intramural champion for three years in a row. While in college, he received his 2nd Lt. Bars from the ROTC Program. He served two years on regular duty at Fort Jackson, SC and 14 years in the Reserves. He completed the officerÕs career course and one year of command & general staff course.

In 1960, Jim started his first company, The James W. Flynn Insurance and Real Estate Company. In 1969, he was elected the President of the Kentucky PIA, a professional insurance organization representing insurance agencies throughout the state and served on the National PIA Board. He was also President of the Lexington Exchange Club.

Governor Louie B. Nunn appointed Jim to the Kentucky Crime Commission which he was elected Chairman. He was instrumental in working to identify cities that would be open to merge with their county to form a metro form of government. This project was the beginning of the future metro government for Lexington, KY.

Jim and his family moved to Paducah in 1972 to become owner of Kentucky Dam Marina in Gilbertsville, KY. The next year he sold the marina and started the James W. Flynn Insurance Agency in Paducah, which is now known as Henneberger Flynn Insurance Agency. In 1988, Jim and his wife, Pat became partners with Jim and Dot Tidwell of Choate Gifts until their retirement in 2005.

Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Paducah where he was an elder/trustee and for 25 years, he taught Sunday School. He also served as Chairman of the Mt. Kenton Cemetery.

Jim served as a Paducah City Commissioner in the 1980s. He also served on the Boards of Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, Paxton Park Golf Course, the Country Club of Paducah, and Rotary Club.

Jim was an avid golfer who won several tournaments in Lexington and Paducah.

Graveside services will be held at 10 am Saturday, March 26 at Mount Kenton Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at 11 am Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Paducah. Mike Chamberlain will officiate. Immediately following the memorial service, there will be time of visitation with the family in Memorial Hall of the church. Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may be in the form of contributions to Mount Kenton Cemetery, P.O. Box 7314, Paducah, KY 42002.