James E. Flenniken

James E. (Jim) Flenniken, 89, of Morgantown, WV, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Monongalia General Hospital surrounded by his wife of 68 years and three daughters. Jim was born in Greensboro, PA, to Frank William and Matilda “Tillie” Elizabeth (Sheets) Flenniken on December 29, 1931. After graduating from Mapletown High School in 1949, Jim enrolled and graduated from the United States Maritime Service Academy in St. Petersburg, FL. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a military air policeman (Airman 1st Class) at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, and Mitchel Air Force Base in Long Island, NY. Jim received the National Defense Service Medal for honorable active military service during Korean wartime and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for exemplary conduct during his active military career. While stationed in NY, he met his wife, Mildred (Millie) Martin, and married her on September 15, 1953. They initially settled in Long Island and raised five children until moving to Morgantown in 1972. His career stretched from working at the First National City Bank as a bank auditor and later at IBM as a computer programmer (both in New York City), a mechanic for Ford Motors, a salesman for various companies, before retiring from WVU PRT’s procurement department in 1998. Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (and former member of St. John’s University Parish) in Morgantown. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Morgantown (and Long Beach, NY). Jim loved camping and spending time outdoors with his family. He was an avid WVU Mountaineer and Pittsburgh Steelers fan who enjoyed solving crosswords and cryptogram puzzles and adored his felines (Toni and Lovey). He is survived by his beloved wife, Millie, of Morgantown, WV; a son Mark (Emily Sauls) Flenniken of Sarasota, FL; three daughters: Sharon Flenniken of Mount Morris, PA; Susan (Tracey) Willard of Pentress, WV; and Theresa (Michael) Lasky of Benson, NC; nine grandchildren: Kristin (Nick) Tennant of Core, WV; Brittney Walker of Raleigh, NC; Vincent Flenniken of Somerset, PA; Brandon (Priya) Willard of Walnut Creek, CA; Samantha Flenniken of Gainesville, FL; Justin (Ariel) Walker of Raleigh, NC; Cassandra Flenniken of Bradenton, FL; Christopher (Rae) Lasky of Raleigh, NC; and Kevin Willard of Westover, WV; and four great-grandchildren: Olivia and Gavin Tennant of Core, WV, and Brennan and Dawson Walker of Raleigh, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: William Keitz and Albert Flenniken; a step-brother, William Flenniken; a son, James Flenniken, Jr.; and a great‑grandson, Jayden “James” Tennant. In honoring his wishes, no funeral services will be held. He will be laid to rest at Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Mountaineer Spay Neuter Assistance Program (M-SNAP) at PO Box 4335, Morgantown, WV 26504, or a charity of your choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James E. Flenniken, please visit our flower store.