Robert William Flanagan

Flanagan- Robert W Jr. passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the age of 63. He was born October 11, 1949 in Tulsa, OK and lived here all of his life. Robert attended Bishop Kelly High School graduating with the class of ’68 and then went on to Oklahoma State University to attain a degree in Business. While at OSU he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, as his son also eventually did. He loved college football and basketball, especially OSU. He also enjoyed participating in sports, fireworks, slot machines, traveling and people. Robert was 'genuine' and a true friend to all those that he encountered, be it his business associates, friends or family. Robert liked spending time with people telling jokes, making people laugh and having fun. Robert absolutely loved fireworks and will be fondly remembered by so many people in the fireworks industry where he led his life most passionately and left his mark. He was a 'crusader' --on a mission to constantly promote fireworks safety--and gave so much of his time freely for more than 3 decades to industry service including that to the American Pyrotechnics Association, the National Council on Fireworks Safety (where he was a founding Director) and to the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory. He was a tireless advocate and his efforts were both successful and appreciated. He had worked for OK Fireworks for about thirty-five years where he met his respected mentors, Bill and Betty Manley. He ran his own fireworks shopping cart site, Fireworks Express, for five years before taking a position with Black Cat Fireworks-U.S. Marketing. He traveled the U.S. and to China for them over the last ten years.
Robert was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn F. Presfield, (2011), parents Robert W. Flanagan, (1984), Georgia D. Erwin (2009) and stepfather Carroll H. Erwin (2007). Robert is survived by his wife Mary Alice, son Robert Joel (wife Sarah), daughter Mary Elizabeth (Libby), sister Marilyn Drake (husband David) and step-sister Andrea King (husband Gary) as well as loving cousins, nieces and nephews. We will miss Robert’s optimism and the smiles he put on our faces.
A Memorial service will be held at Asbury’s Chapel located on Mingo and 67th on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. The family would like to thank the medical staff at St Francis Hospital and EMSA for their much appreciated medical care, comfort and support. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made John 3:16 and Freedom Hospice.