Daren S. Flanagan
funeral director/owner, Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta, Oklahoma, died June 30, 2020, at age 51. Flanagan pursued his education on a music scholarship and earned an associate degree in business administration from Murray State College. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, graduating cum laude from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Flanagan continued his education at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, earning an associate degree in funeral service in 1996. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta, the national morticians fraternity, and in 2019 was asked to be Dallas Institute’s commencement speaker. During the celebration, the school also presented him with its Distinguished Service Award. He was a 2004 graduate of Love County Leadership Class #1.
Flanagan worked for Anderson-Kennedy Funeral Home in Marietta, and encouraged by mentor John Kennedy, he became a licensed director and embalmer for the state of Oklahoma. He worked for Kennedy Funeral Home until 2000, when the Watts family purchased the firm and he became managing partner of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home. In 2001, he became owner and operator of Flanagan Monument Sales of Marietta.
Flanagan was a member of NFDA and the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, for which, since 2011, he has served on the association’s board as District V chairman, District V governor (three years), secretary/treasurer, vice president, president-elect and president (2019-20). Flanagan was very active in the community, including the Marietta Lions Club, Love County Chamber of Commerce, Love County United Way, Love County Health Center Foundation, Love County Emergency Food & Shelter Program and the Lakeview/Prairieview Cemetery board.
He is survived by his daughter, Kaylee, son Mathew, parents G.W. and Erma, and brothers Chris and Chet.
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