Edward Earl Flanary
Edward Earl Flanary was born May 24, 1936 in Rainbow, Texas. He passed away on February 21, 2021 at the age of 84.
A graveside service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 27, at Squaw Creek Cemetery in Rainbow, Texas. His body will lie in state Friday, February 26 from 1:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. at Wiley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Glen Rose, Texas.
His parents were Earl P. Flanary and Lillian Hazel Davis. He had one brother, Donald Ray Flanary.
Known as Eddie, he started school in Rainbow, Texas and transferred to Glen Rose schools in the 2nd grade. Following high school, he married Billie Marilyn Rives, and they had three children, Mark, Judy, and Patsy.
Eddie worked the bulk of his career as an aviation model builder at General Dynamics and Boeing and retired from Lockheed Martin in 1998. He was involved in the development of both the F-16 and F-22 aircraft. He worked as a referee for football and basketball for many years. He also served on the Glen Rose Volunteer Fire Department, was a Boy Scout leader, and coached Little League Baseball teams.
In his post-retirement years, Eddie focused on family. He and his wife, Billie, were inseparable. They enjoyed being together, and if you saw one, you saw the other.
He had three children, 7 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Known affectionately as John Ed to some and PawPaw to others, Eddie always looked forward to spending time with his “kids” and they enjoyed being with him.
Eddie was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose. He enjoyed his daily trips to the Dairy Queen for coffee with his friends.
Eddie loved his Glen Rose Tigers and all things Glen Rose. He attended most sporting events, band concerts, school fundraisers, weekly Coffee with the Coaches meetings, and community activities. Watching GRHS students compete was a favorite pastime of his. He was always easy to spot; he was the one wearing the Tiger suspenders and had a smile on his face. Eddie was presented with the Tiger’s Eye Award in 2005 in recognition for his continual support of the students of Glen Rose.
Eddie is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Billie Rives Flanary, his children and their spouses, Mark & Patti Flanary and Judy & Scott May, his 7 grandchildren and their spouses Kevin & Cathy May, Kelli & Thomas Sanchez, Lindsey Flanary & Rick Stover, Kara & Kip Verbeek, Kyle & Megan May, Kirk & Amy May, and Kaylee Flanary; and by his 17 great-children, Kole May, Caroline May, Kora Sanchez, Lila Sanchez, Tuck Sanchez, Lillian Stover, Piper Stover, Marilyn Stover, Jackson Stover, Kolton Verbeek, Kaitlyn Verbeek, Kaden May, Finley May, Nolan May, Brooke May, Maggie May, and Hallie May. He is also survived by several cousins and his sister-in-law, Loretta Rives Ramsey.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patsy Ann, in May 1984.
Arrangements under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home, Glen Rose, Texas.