Mike was a good friend and one of the funniest people I have ever known. We attended grade school together, and were close friends in high school. Although we lost touch after high school, I found out Mike went to Viet Nam. I thought it important to post part of his obituary for his friends and classmates that have not seen it.
Michael A. Flowers, age 58, of Toledo passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006, in St. Anne Mercy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Michael fought a courageous battle against cancer and was determined to beat it. He was born March 12, 1948, in Toledo to Walter and Petrina (Carlo) Flowers-Templin. Mike was the Lease Manager for Kistler Ford for 14 years. A Vietnam veteran, he was very active in veteran's rights, working with Marcy Kaptur. He was one of the founding members of the Vietnam Veterans of Toledo, Chapter 35. He was written up in the Congressional Record by Marcy Kaptur in 1983 for being an inspiring leader and articulate spokesman for Vietnam Veterans in the Toledo area. He was instrumental in getting the Agent Orange Caravan to stop in Toledo on it's way to Washington, and was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Toledo. Mike was also able to create a camaraderie between the VFW veterans and the Vietnam veterans. He was named to the National Board of Vietnam Veterans of America in 1983. In 1987, he testified before a Congressional Sub-committee about the homeless and jobless veterans in the Toledo area. Mike was also involved in Desert Shield activities. He not only formed a support group for them but spoke to students at several schools about the Mideast situation. In 1990 he and General Walt Churchill organized a Christmas dinner for Desert Shield Support Group Families. He helped design the Operation Desert Shield dog tags that became a local symbol for the war. In 1991, he organized a rally for troop support. Mike was also written up in the Army Times for his support of civilian groups. In May of 1991, he was instrumental in organizing the 50th Anniversary Jeep Rally Weekend. Michael enjoyed family activities, supporting the UT Rockets football and basketball teams, and going to NASCAR races. He often arranged trips to Las Vegas for his family and friends. His wonderful sense of humor sustained his family during these last two and a half years. He was also an inspiration to his co-workers because of his dedication to his job. Preceded in death by his father, Walter, he is survived by Gina, his loving wife of 34 years; mother, Petrina Flowers-Templin; sisters, Barbara Flowers and Joyce (Dave) Brink; mother and father-in-law, William and Theresa Mitchell; sister-in-law, Diane Kudro; niece, Amy (Brad) Mayberry; nephew, Kevin (Leslie) Kudro; great-niece, Katie Mayberry; great nephew, Dylan Mayberry; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
A sad day for MIke's family, friends and all of those Vietnam Veterans that he helped so magnificantly with the physical and mental issues stemming from the war.
Like many in our class he served his country in Vietnam, a combat veteran and advocate, when he came back he would talk about Bob Dutkiewicz also one of our friend group, Bob a Whitmer grad, was Killed in action after six weeks serving in the 101st Airborne. I believe that was the catalyst that moved him to get the Vietnam Vetrans of Toledo launched.
Mike, what a fun guy to hang out with, guaranteed laughter, a great classmate. I remember before he left for boot camp, we were all together, drinking some beer and having fun as usual, he was trying to sell his car to anyone that would be interested, his 55 Chevy, which was loaded with 1,000 lbs. of bondo. He got the thing painted at Earl Scheib for $19.95, (in by 9 and out by 5) dark green, we fell over laughing, one of the guys got a magnet out and started checking all around the car to see if it would stick....nothing except the top. It was an absolutly hilarious scene. He couldn't give that car away, he kept saying come on guys, somebody please make me an offer.
He certainly will be missed, a one of a kind guy.....
Mark Wilson (Wilson)
Mike was a good friend and one of the funniest people I have ever known. We attended grade school together, and were close friends in high school. Although we lost touch after high school, I found out Mike went to Viet Nam. I thought it important to post part of his obituary for his friends and classmates that have not seen it.
Michael A. Flowers, age 58, of Toledo passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006, in St. Anne Mercy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Michael fought a courageous battle against cancer and was determined to beat it. He was born March 12, 1948, in Toledo to Walter and Petrina (Carlo) Flowers-Templin. Mike was the Lease Manager for Kistler Ford for 14 years. A Vietnam veteran, he was very active in veteran's rights, working with Marcy Kaptur. He was one of the founding members of the Vietnam Veterans of Toledo, Chapter 35. He was written up in the Congressional Record by Marcy Kaptur in 1983 for being an inspiring leader and articulate spokesman for Vietnam Veterans in the Toledo area. He was instrumental in getting the Agent Orange Caravan to stop in Toledo on it's way to Washington, and was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Toledo. Mike was also able to create a camaraderie between the VFW veterans and the Vietnam veterans. He was named to the National Board of Vietnam Veterans of America in 1983. In 1987, he testified before a Congressional Sub-committee about the homeless and jobless veterans in the Toledo area. Mike was also involved in Desert Shield activities. He not only formed a support group for them but spoke to students at several schools about the Mideast situation. In 1990 he and General Walt Churchill organized a Christmas dinner for Desert Shield Support Group Families. He helped design the Operation Desert Shield dog tags that became a local symbol for the war. In 1991, he organized a rally for troop support. Mike was also written up in the Army Times for his support of civilian groups. In May of 1991, he was instrumental in organizing the 50th Anniversary Jeep Rally Weekend. Michael enjoyed family activities, supporting the UT Rockets football and basketball teams, and going to NASCAR races. He often arranged trips to Las Vegas for his family and friends. His wonderful sense of humor sustained his family during these last two and a half years. He was also an inspiration to his co-workers because of his dedication to his job. Preceded in death by his father, Walter, he is survived by Gina, his loving wife of 34 years; mother, Petrina Flowers-Templin; sisters, Barbara Flowers and Joyce (Dave) Brink; mother and father-in-law, William and Theresa Mitchell; sister-in-law, Diane Kudro; niece, Amy (Brad) Mayberry; nephew, Kevin (Leslie) Kudro; great-niece, Katie Mayberry; great nephew, Dylan Mayberry; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Terry Harris
A sad day for MIke's family, friends and all of those Vietnam Veterans that he helped so magnificantly with the physical and mental issues stemming from the war.
Like many in our class he served his country in Vietnam, a combat veteran and advocate, when he came back he would talk about Bob Dutkiewicz also one of our friend group, Bob a Whitmer grad, was Killed in action after six weeks serving in the 101st Airborne. I believe that was the catalyst that moved him to get the Vietnam Vetrans of Toledo launched.
Mike, what a fun guy to hang out with, guaranteed laughter, a great classmate. I remember before he left for boot camp, we were all together, drinking some beer and having fun as usual, he was trying to sell his car to anyone that would be interested, his 55 Chevy, which was loaded with 1,000 lbs. of bondo. He got the thing painted at Earl Scheib for $19.95, (in by 9 and out by 5) dark green, we fell over laughing, one of the guys got a magnet out and started checking all around the car to see if it would stick....nothing except the top. It was an absolutly hilarious scene. He couldn't give that car away, he kept saying come on guys, somebody please make me an offer.
He certainly will be missed, a one of a kind guy.....
Terry Harris, SHS Class of 67