Mr James Scott Flankey

James Scott Flankey, 81, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully from this life at his home in Clarcona, FL on Tuesday, Oct. 9, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Jim was born in St. Vincent, Minnesota, on May 22, 1931, to Arthur O. and Mary S. Flankey. Following high school graduation he attended the Univ. of North Dakota for one year, then enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He served as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate with Sqdn. VC-9, with tours of duty in the Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea. Home base was the Naval Air Station, Sanford, FL. During this time he met his future wife, Camille Oestricher of Orlando and after his discharge from the Navy, they were married in1955. Jim attended Orlando Junior College, then transferred to the Univ. of Florida for his degree in Electrical Engineering. Their two sons were born in Gainesville prior to graduation, after which they moved to Orlando. He found Florida weather a great improvement over those cold Minnesota winters. Jim was employed by Orlando Utilities Commission for his entire working career, retiring in 1984 as Superintendent of Electric Construction. While working, he also earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rollins College in Winter Park. He also taught evening classes on Electricity at Mid-Florida Tech. Jim was a man of many talents and a friend to all. He was the proverbial handyman, being able to fix just about anything. If a part was not available, he would make one. His workmanship was superb and it was evident in the many classic MG sportscars he restored and repaired over the years. Without any formal training in building construction, he built a vacation home near Turtle Mound in the ‘70s in an area that later became part of the Canaveral National Seashore Park. It soon became a favorite gathering place for family and friends. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Apopka, the Classic MG Club of Central Florida, and the OUC Retirees Club. Jim and Camille bred and raised Arabian horses on their Clarcona farm for 25 years under the name “Jamil Arabians.” “Jamil” was a combination of their names, but later they found out it meant “beautiful” in Arabic. The horses were used for pleasure riding, showing and racing. In the last two years, the Arabians were phased out in favor of Miniature Horses. Another form of horse with which they were involved was carousel horses. They traveled around in the ‘80s and ‘90s finding them in antique shops, barns and amusement parks. Jim’s expertise in wood carving served him well in repairing them, with Camille doing the painting, and together they restored dozens of the horses. A highlight of the year was attending the national carousel conventions throughout the country, and in 1999 they participated in a tour of carousels in England. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Camille, two sons, Kevin S. Flankey, Orlando, and Kerry A. Flankey, Apopka, two granddaughters, Victoria Lynn Flankey, Zaragoza, Spain, and Camille Andrea Flankey, Apopka, and numerous cousins. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be on Wed., Oct. 17, at 11:00 AM, at DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL 32751, 407-695-2273. Please dress casually. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests donations to Special Olympics Florida – Orange County, 3130 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804. Ph. 407-317-3908, Ext. 6284543, or the Russell Home for Atypical Children, 510 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839, Ph. 407-855-8063.

Mr James Scott Flankey

May 22, 1931 - October 9, 2012