Lt. Colonel Clifford T. Flanigan, 90, of Sarasota, Florida passed away at Tidewell Hospice, on May 15, 2021 from natural causes. He was born on July 1, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to James C. and Susan (Sebastian) Flanigan. He served in the US Army and graduated from West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York. and after retirement, where he was last stationed at USMA, Clifford went to work as the Vice President of Engineering at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2009 from Huntsville, Alabama and was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church is Sarasota, Florida.
During his 24 plus years in the US Army, he served as a Combat Engineer, (Parachutist); Superintendent of Construction; served in the INDOCHINA Theater and was awarded the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal with one Leaf Cluster; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Parachutist Badge; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Medal with Citation Badge and Palm; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class and one overseas bar. He completed the United States Army Command and General Staff College; Engineer Officer Career Course; Combat Intelligence Course (Honor Graduate); Nuclear Weapons Employment Course; Engineer Officer Basic Course and the Airborne Course.
Lt. Colonel Flanigan is survived by his loving family: his wife of almost 67 years, Joann Flanigan of Sarasota, Florida; sons; Michael Flanigan of Sarasota, Florida and Kevin Flanigan of Albuquerque, New Mexico and a daughter, Susana Santa Cruz of Tampa, Florida.
Full military honors and graveside services will be Thursday, May 27, 2021 beginning at 12:30 pm at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 7, Sarasota, Florida with the US Army Honors and Ceremonial Funeral Team, American Legion Post 159 and Rev. Ashley Nicolls, officiating.
At 12:30 PM today I’ll pause and say “Goodbye” to my brother-in-law “The Snake Shooter”. As a fellow veteran of the US Army, I’ll also render a proper salute to you and silently say to you, “Thank You for your service”. Jake.