George Ernest Flanagan Jr., a resident of Gloster, Mississippi, peacefully ascended to his heavenly home on Sunday, July 17, 2022, from Carriere, Mississippi, at the age of 80.

Born in New Orleans on May 27, 1942. George was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, gardening, and sports, though his biggest passion in life was his devoted daughters and cherished grandchildren. Known for his wry sense of humor, George was the epitome of the proud Irishman. He would once fulfill a lifelong dream by travelling overseas to Ireland to explore his native homeland with his two daughters, which proved to be one of his life's profound and inspiring highlights.

Enlisting at age 18, George served honorably in the U.S. Navy and later worked at the Coca Cola Bottling Company in New Orleans in his early 20s. He served as a lieutenant for the New Orleans Fire Department where he later retired and worked in later years for the New Orleans Stevedores. Newspaper crossword puzzles, as well as reading, were hobbies George savored, especially books about history, the Civil War, and anything about Ireland. George relished his many fishing trips with friends and family and even attempted sailing many times, as he would often smile and claim, "without much success." However, he was successful in sky diving, once. He would jest, "Once was enough!" George enjoyed all sports, and was an especially enthusiastic fan of baseball, which presented several opportunities to travel on fun road trips to games out of town with his younger brother and gregarious friends. He would eventually retire to a rustic hunting camp that he and his brother built together beside the Homochitto National Forest, where George was a member of a local hunting club. Late night card games in town with his buddies frequently made for funny stories worth sharing. George enjoyed the quiet there in Gloster at his peaceful home alongside a beautiful creek, where drinking his coffee throughout the day, relaxing on the front porch rocking chair, birdwatching, and feeding the squirrels and hummingbirds became a simple pleasure in his life that he relished beyond words.

George was preceded in death by his father George Ernest Flanagan, Sr. and mother Helen Zimmerman Flanagan. He is survived by his two loving daughters and spouses, Shannon Flanagan Burge (Brad) and Shelley Flanagan Rainey (Michael), and his four grandchildren, Dianna Burge, Braiden Burge, Emma Rainey, and Clara Rainey. He is also survived by his brother, John Flanagan (Goldie); nephews Chip Flanagan (Debbie) and Ryan Flanagan (Lauren), his niece Stacey Flanagan Schehr (Mike), as well as other nieces, nephews, relatives and several beloved friends, including his longtime faithful companion Dot Brabham.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell, Louisiana, on Friday, July 29, 2022.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.