Vernon Flanagin

Vernon L. Flanagin, 86, of Colby, KS, passed away on September 6, 2022, at Colby, KS. Vernon was born in Colby, on April 18, 1936, and was the oldest child born to Ray and Rebecca (Childress) Flanagin of Gem, KS. Vernon attended elementary and high school at Gem Consolidated Schools, graduating in 1954.

He completed his undergraduate college work, graduating in 1958, from Ottawa University with a degree in science, specifically concentrating in the field of Biology. Following graduation from Ottawa, he completed his Master’s Degree in Botany from Kansas University as well as completing hours in the Doctoral Program at KU.

Following the death of a family member, Vernon decided to return home to Gem and the farm where he also taught science in the Gem schools until one day Jimmy Nickel came knocking on his door offering him a teaching position at the newly organized junior college located in Colby. Vernon continued teaching in Gem during the day and then drove to Colby where he taught science classes in makeshift classrooms located in the Cooper Hotel in the evenings. After some time, the first building on the current campus was complete; and he could finally move all the lab equipment and supplies to a permanent location that eliminated the need of packing all the equipment and supplies up after class each day and moving them back in the next day as these rooms were used for other classes during the day.

Vernon continued teaching at what is now CCC until he and Karen decided to expand their farming operation with the advent of irrigation in Western Kansas. At this time, Vernon became a full-time farmer—a decision that he would never regret. He continued farming for over 50 years and rarely missed a day going to Gem or Rexford scouting fields, repairing equipment, preparing fields for that next crop, harvesting, or just enjoying working in his shop. Due to some contacts he had in the scientific world, he was the first farmer to plant RR Soybeans in NW Kansas. He planted one circle and was sworn to secrecy. The results were amazing, and the seed began being sold for the general public.

He was always thankful for the opportunity to instill the farm work ethic and small-town values into his children and participated enthusiastically in all their academic and extracurricular functions, wearing out at least one car traveling to all their activities. He always said we wore the second one out with the grandkids sometimes being on the road four or five nights a week traveling all over Western Kansas and as far east as Emporia to their activities, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Vernon served as a member on the local Farm Credit System Board for 33 years and during those years only missed one board meeting. He also was a member of the USD 315 Board of Education as well as church committees through the years.

He was a diehard KU and Colby Eagles fan. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and yes, food too, which gave birth to his and Karen’s hosting their all-you- can-eat Crab Legs Feasts on Christmas Eve and the all-you-can-eat Prime Rib Christmas Day dinners for the entire family.

He enjoyed collecting antique tractors, cream separators, steam engines and butter churns. He was an incredible artist that could draw and sketch anything with perfect detail. But it was his photographic memory that left his family in awe. He could name the genus and species of nearly every plant in Northwest Kansas as well as being a walking encyclopedia of almost everything else he had encountered during the years.

He always told his children, “Give your kids everything thing they need, but not everything they want”. He did give his children everything they wanted; it was just in the form of teaching and educating them so that they could go get and/or do whatever they wanted.

He was the consummate husband, father, and friend who was proud to be able to reach his lifelong goal of transitioning the “Family Farm”, which was established in 1898, to be cared for by the next generation. He lived by the creed that everyone must leave the world, no matter how small your contribution, a better place; and he certainly lived up to his own expectations.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Karen, sons Marlin of Emporia, Quintin and Jay of Colby, and son-in-law, Tim Thompson of Bogue; three daughters-in-law, Darla, Mary, and Luetta; nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. His only daughter, Karen Jayne Thompson, preceded him in death a little over a year ago. She was a bright and shining star to Dad and all her family.

The funeral took place September 13, 2022. Memorials may be made to Colby Public School for the Ag Building Project and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com