Passing of Dr. Keith Flanagan

April 12, 2013 — 

As we announced in e-Letter earlier, AASV was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Keith Flanagan on April 3, 2013. After a short illness in Haiti, Keith and Jan were transported to Miami for medical care. Keith passed away early Wednesday morning. Funeral services were held on April 11 in Texhoma, OK. The Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) is planning a Memorial service in Haiti for early June. The CVM has posted a remembrance of Dr. Flanagan’s life on their website. A portion of that remembrance is reproduced below.

Dr. Flanagan is a 1978 graduate of the college of veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University. He connected with CVM in 1979 and did his first short-term mission trip in 1986 to Haiti. He and Jan proceeded to respond to God’s call to serve the people of Haiti in long-term missions when Keith left for Haiti April 2, 1987 with Jan and their sons Sean and Brian following in June. For the next 26 years, he and Jan poured themselves out in ministry and service to the people of Haiti serving in a variety of roles in ministry and development work. They would host hundreds of short-term volunteers over the years and served faithfully on the CVM team representing the work of the Lord through veterinary medicine at many professional meetings and student events.

Keith was highly respected for his love and appreciation of the Haitian people and culture as well as for his selfless dedication to development work in Haiti. He served at all levels of development in Haiti, working on nationwide programs of livestock development and disease control. Dr. Flanagan and his Haitian counterparts trained 100’s of village level animal health workers and, in recent years, invested heavily in the work to equip and train Haitian veterinarians trained in Cuba. He was a noted expert on livestock development in Haiti and was often consulted by others who sought to serve. Keith also touched the lives of so many individuals. Keith and Jan opened their home to countless Haitian friends needing help, supporting them in their trials and rejoicing with them in the events of their lives. They are god parents to many young Haitian adults who have been encouraged and supported in their education and personal development.

He will be missed! Keith is survived by his incredible wife Jan, his faithful partner in these many years of service. He is also survived by his oldest son Sean, wife Chandra, and their two children. He is also survived by his younger son Brian and wife Robin and the child they are expecting. Keith’s family in Oklahoma includes his mother Rosella Flanagan, brothers Steve and Joe Flanagan, and sister Koleta Ferguson. These family members represent an extended network of family and friends across the United States. We stand with them in celebration of a life well lived and grieve with them in the loss of a dear friend.

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Please use the following address if you would like to mail a card or letter to the Flanagan family
Flanagan Family
c/o Mrs. Rosella Flanagan
HC 4 Box 8
Texhoma, OK 73949-9202