James Flannery

Mass of Christian Burial for James A. Flannery, 73, of Roscoe, was at 11 a.m., Friday, November 17, 2023 at the Edmunds Central High School Gym in Roscoe with Father Tim Cone officiating.

There were military honors by Roscoe American Legion Post 259 immediately following outside of the school. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Patrick Cemetery in Montrose.

Jim passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023, at the Bowdle Hospital.

James Aloysius Flannery was born before his twin sister on June 13, 1950 to Lawrence and Evelyn (Luke) Flannery. He attended school and graduated from Montrose High School with the class of 1968. He attended General Beadle College for four years and received his teaching degree in Business and Industrial Arts. After college he was drafted into the US Army and served as chaplain's assistant in Georgia for two years. In 1975, he moved to Hazelton, N.D. where he taught school until 1977. He then moved to Emery, where he taught school and met the love of his life, Bernita Hopf, who was teaching vocal music in Emery.

On May 26, 1979, Jim and Bernita were married in Salem. They resided in Bridgewater until August 1980 when Jim accepted a teaching position in Roscoe. He taught Industrial Arts, Business and was the Computer Networking Administrator until 2015 when he retired after 40 years of teaching.

He loved polka music, dancing, woodworking, spending time with his children and especially his grandchildren, reminiscing with former students, serving the American Legion, and volunteering for anything his community was in need of.

Jim will be remembered for his explosive laugh, which resulted in making it impossible for others not to laugh along with him. While most former students remember him for his firm and disciplinary personality, it was actually his compassionate, loving and teddy bear-like nature that we all came to know, love, and cherish. He had a big heart and never turned down an opportunity to share a hug with you.

Grateful for having shared Jim's life are his wife, Bernita Flannery of Roscoe; children, Corey (Lisa) Flannery and their children, Alexis, Gavin, Bryce and Luke, Nathaniel Flannery and his children Morgan, Tre, Brody and Keevah, Rachel (Johnathan) Binfet and their daughter, Freya; siblings, Thomas (Lois) Flannery of Shellsburg, Iowa, Larry Flannery of Chancellor, Janice (Ray) McCorkell of Salem, Karen (Bryan) Ulrikson of Canton; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jim in death are his parents, Lawrence and Evelyn Flannery, sister-in-law Linda Flannery, nephew Jeremy Flannery, aunts, uncles and several dear friends.

Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, Aberdeen was in charge of arrangements. http://www.spitzerfuneralhome.com