David H Flanders

David H. Flanders, Sr. was born in Independence, MO on March 5, 1924 to Helen Crick Flanders and Arthur Douglass Flanders. Dave attended Bryant Elementary, Bingham Junior High and graduated in 1942 from William Chrisman High School in Independence. At William Chrisman he was active in drama, cheer and in ROTC where he excelled in marksmanship and cadet leadership. His family owned building materials and construction businesses in Independence, and he was fortunate to have lots of family in the area. He and his older brother Doug were very close and enjoyed many shared hobbies and activities throughout their lives. They especially enjoyed time at the family summer home at Lake Lotawana. Dave loved lake living and knew at a young age where he wanted to live and raise his own family. Colorblindness kept him from pursuing his dream of flying military planes, and he declined an appointment to West Point in 1942 in favor of serving his country in WWII. Dave entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the South Pacific campaign. He was trained as a combat engineer and was honored to serve his country in historic landings on Guam, Leyte, Okinawa and Japan after they surrendered. He received the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in December, 1945. While at an Army training exercise in Virginia in 1944, he agreed to do a favor for his best Army buddy, Harvey Field, by going on a blind date with Harvey’s girlfriend’s younger sister. Dave tried hard to avoid the date, but when he met June Huggins, the “little sister”, he was smitten. So was she. He was not the least bit hesitant to tell anyone who’d listen that theirs was love at first sight. Dave and June were married in 1946 and built their own home at Lake Lotawana with the help of family and friends. Dave graduated from Kansas City Junior College in engineering and opened Flanders Lumber & Supply Company in 1950 with his brother and father. He’d entered the Army Reserves upon discharge from the regular Army, and served as a First Lieutenant following a call to active duty during the Korean Conflict in 1950. He trained troops in Kentucky and Washington and was honorably discharged from his last post in Seattle as a Battalion Commander. He and June would attend Army reunions from both the 407th and 233rd Combat Engineers Divisions for the next 50+ years. Dave and June raised three children, Dave Jr., John and Jennifer at Lake Lotawana. Dave was the Scoutmaster of Troop 366, outdoor sports counselor at summer church camps, served in the priesthood of the RLDS Church, and was very dedicated to his community. Dave served 55 years in city, county and lake association governance and board positions. Those who knew him well remember him as the man who would always listen carefully, take lots of notes, and then ask a lot of questions before he weighed in with his views. His memory for details was legendary at Lotawana Association Director meetings, and his “briefcase” lives on. Dave suffered a stroke in 2008 and June passed away in early 2009. He resided at Bickford Mission Springs Assisted Living until he passed away on August 8, 2018. The family is grateful to the loving staff at Mission Springs for the many years of service and care they provided June and Dave. Dave Flanders is survived by his son David H. Flanders, Jr. (Ann, Fairway, KS), son John H. Flanders (Luann, Park City, UT), a daughter Jennifer F. Gauck (Dale, Greensburg, IN); 7 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Lake Lotawana Memorial Rose Garden in Dave’s honor. Visitation is from 1-2 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2 :00 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 at the Carson-Speaks Funeral Home, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Internment will take place following the services at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, MO. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)