Michael Flynn

Michael James Flynn, 81, passed away on August 15, 2022, at home with his wife at his side. Michael was born December 29, 1940, in San Diego, California, the fifth of six children of Stephen E. Flynn and Estelle Kinney Flynn. His father was the Chief Medical Officer on San Clemente Island.

He grew up in Coronado, California, and graduated from Coronado High School in 1959. He went to Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, and earned a BA in Physical Geography then completed a Masters at San Diego State University. Michael graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Michael was a devout Catholic along with his wife. His interests and activities were diverse. He worked as a lifeguard for eleven summers in Coronado and loved the ocean, meteorology, and aviation. His passion for aviation drove him to obtain a Commercial Airplane License with Instrument and Instructor ratings. His father passed on his interest in archeology and paleontology.

He married Sheila Shamrell on 30 June 1972, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Two wonderful children were born to this marriage, Kate Maureen and Brian Xavier. He loved taking his kids out where they could learn and play among public lands of Wyoming.

Mike and Sheila moved to Sheridan where he was one of the first instructors in the Nursing Program at Sheridan College. Michael started teaching geology stressing that geology must be studied in the field as a lab science not just in books. One student stated that he “waxed poetic” when talking about the geology of Wyoming and fossils. For his sabbatical, he researched, with the help of the Wyoming State Geologist, and the Wyoming Highway Department, the different geological formations that can be seen on highways 14 and 16. The WHD made and placed the signs on those highways. He expanded into paleontology obtaining a paleontology permit in Johnson County. Michael used these permits to teach historical geology in the field. Michael found the first bones of a rare dinosaur, an Allosaurus they named Caesar, amongst many other discoveries. Caesar is mounted at Sheridan College where Michael taught for 27 years.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Stephen and Patrick, and nephew Michael Flynn. He is survived by his wife, his children, Kate Flynn Birgenheier, and her husband, Jason of Las Vegas, Brian, his wife Hallie, and granddaughter Lucia Flynn of Monte Vista CO. His Brother Vincent (Patty) of Coronado, CA, sisters Felicia Scheib, San Diego, and Kathleen Potter of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Poor and Needy fund, at Holy Name Church, The Hub (the Sheridan Senior Center), or The Sheridan YMCA.

Rosary will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Kane Funeral Home with Father Glenn Whewell officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at 11:00 am at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Glenn Whewell officiating. A reception will follow at Holy Name Parish Hall. Interment will follow the reception in the Juniper Heights section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

If you cannot attend please join us on ZOOM – login 10 minutes prior to the service, and please mute your device.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81902954228?pwd=aXV3WFhuMVA4M0tnOGJEWXZRMU1IZz09

Passcode– 070398‍

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.