Alan Southall Flynn, 64, was born Dec. 6, 1961, at Norfolk Community Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, to Charles and Elizabeth Flynn. He passed away July 13, 2026, in Red Bank following a lengthy illness.
His early church life began at First Baptist Church, Berkeley (Norfolk) and continued at Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk, where he was confirmed and served as an acolyte. His education included Liberty Park Elementary School, College Park Elementary School, Kempsville Junior High School, Kempsville High School and the then brand-new Green Run High School in Virginia Beach.
He was a band student, Boy Scout, avid tennis player and an active member of Jack & Jill of America, Inc.
Alan was a beloved father, brother, nephew, cousin and uncle who will be missed by family, extended family, friends and classmates. He lived a life marked by kindness, wisdom, humor and intelligence. In his formative years, he developed the character, discipline and warmth that remained with him throughout his life. Alan had a natural charm and a gift for conversation that captivated everyone he met. He loved discussing politics and current events and always brought great energy and perspective to a conversation.
Alan attended Howard University, where he distinguished himself through his talents. He earned a band scholarship as a trumpet player for Howard’s famed “Showtime” Marching Band. He founded and served as a charter member of the Eta Omega Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national band fraternity. He studied political science at Howard and was unwavering in his devotion to the university’s proud traditions.
Soon after his tenure in Washington, DC., he married and settled in Richmond and Chesterfield County, Virginia, where he made his home for the next 20 years and raised his children, Kelly and Alan Jr. This time was central to his life, and he took great pride in his role as father and family man.
The Richmond area was also where his professional work ultimately aligned with his passion for politics. After working for the Commonwealth of Virginia and H&R Block, he built a career as an independent political consultant. He used his mellifluous baritone to conduct political research and gather business intelligence by phone from leaders across the U.S. His work covered voting trend analysis, including voter attitudes and policy direction. He used his political acumen to research and collect data for clients before and following elections. His work required careful thought, attention to detail and a deep understanding of people and political issues.
Throughout his life, Alan volunteered as often as he could on many local and national political campaigns. He collaborated to produce and sell screen-printed tees and sweatshirts to social and civic organizations. He was often sought after as an unpaid emcee for local civic events. He did paid voice-over work for local political campaigns and public service ads. He operated a small e-commerce business on eBay. Amid these ventures, he found time to work as a Hollywood movie extra, appearing briefly in a few movies. He was a frequent school volunteer and PTA president at the school his children attended.
He loved gardening and lawn work, listening to jazz, being a Dallas Cowboys fan, smoking an occasional good cigar and watching all types of action movies. He gave his children the gift of tennis, teaching them to play and enjoy the game.
Alan moved to New Jersey last year, marking the start of a new chapter while remaining close to family and close friends and attending two family events in Boston.
Alan is survived by his brother, Michael Flynn (Pamela) of Rochester Hills, Michigan; his daughter, Kelly Kruk (Andrew) of Farmington Hills, Michigan; his son, Alan Jr. “AJ” (Raquel) of Williamsburg, Virginia; his aunt, Mabel Flynn; his cousin Andrea Flynn of Chicago; his nephew, Justin Flynn of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and his niece Mariah Flynn, DMD, of Washington, D.C. Alan is also survived by many other cousins, close relatives, fraternity brothers, classmates and friends in Virginia.
Alan Southall Flynn will be remembered with great affection and respect by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to family, love of politics, appreciation for music and a life lived with intelligence, grace and kindness.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks for the love and support shown to them during a difficult time, with special thanks to Michael Flynn, Andrea Flynn, Mabel Flynn, Justin Flynn, Pamela Southall, M.D., David Alston, Dennis Wade and Vanessa Grooms and the staff at Red Bank Center for Rehabilitation and Healing, Riverview Medical Center ICU and St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church.
The article originally appeared in the September 24 – 30, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
