James Flanigan

James Richard Flanigan, 83, of Oakland passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017, surrounded by his family. Born on February 4, 1933 in Oakland, he was the son of the late James W. Flanigan and Mabel E. "Memaw" (Shaffer) Smouse. He had attended Oakland High School and was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a little league coach, a 60 year member of the American Legion Post #71, a recreational private pilot and had attended the Crossroads Church. Jim started his working career at the age of 14, delivering newspapers in the Oakland area. He grew up doing body-fender work with his stepfather, Ralph Smouse. Most people remember him delivering bread for Schmidt's Bakery for 19 years and others remember Jim as the owner and operator of NuWay Interiors, which he purchased in 1980 and developed into a highly successful commercial laundry business, a family business which his sons run and operate today. While serving in the Navy, he received the Good Conduct Medal for three years of honesty, zeal and obedience. Jim was awarded the Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award in 2003; this award is presented to local business leaders by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. He also received numerous awards from the International Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Association. He was an avid Steelers fan. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed being a recreational pilot and RC model airplane operator. He was known as a jack of all trades and his hobby was his business. His slogan, which he often repeated, was "to retire is to die and I don't plan on doing that anytime soon." He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sandy L. (Orr) Flanigan; children, Cheri Vieira and husband Joe of Duluth, GA, James W. Flanigan, Angela M. Flanigan, and Alex R. Flanigan and wife Amy (Zimmerman), all of Oakland; grandchildren, Joshua Vieia of Duluth, GA, DJ Flanigan, Brooklyn Flanigan, Kulen Flanigan and Keele Flanigan, all of Oakland; a nephew, Phil Rook; nieces, Diane (Rook) Brown and Lisa Rook; and many great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Beverly (Flanigan) Rook and his stepfather, Ralph Smouse. Friends will be received at the C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland on Thursday, January 26th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. A funeral service will be held in the Crossroads Church, 17781 Garrett Hwy., Oakland on Friday, January 27th at 11 AM with Pastor David Marsh officiating. Interment will follow in the Garrett County Memorial Gardens with military honors accorded by the United States Navy, American Legion Post #71 and the Deer Park VFW Post #10077. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 43, Oakland, MD 21550.