Shayne R. Flinders, age 55, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Monday, January 20, 2014 at his home in Circle, MT.
Shayne was born on February 1, 1958 in Salt Lake City, UT; the son of Reid & Ona Beth (Nay) Flinders. He grew up in the Bitterroot, ranching with his family. He was very active in the local Boy Scout Troops, eventually earning his Eagle Scout badge. Shayne graduated from Corvallis High School in 1976, where he excelled at basketball and academics. After high school he received a basketball scholarship and played for Western Montana College. He married Kelly Day with whom he had a beautiful daughter, Cassandra Rae. After four years, Kelly and Shayne divorced. He returned to Western Montana College in 1983 and continued on with basketball. Through basketball he met Christina Jungers and they married on December 20, 1984, they recently celebrated their 29th anniversary. They were blessed with a wonderful son, Derek Orion. In 1986 he graduated with his Bachelors in Education and got a teaching job in Flaxville, MT. Three years later they moved to Circle, MT where they made their home, teaching at the High School, coaching both basketball & track, and instructing drivers ed.
For the first 12 summers of his teaching career, Shayne worked for the Forest Service in Seeley Lake, MT with his wife Chris. During this time he enjoyed coed softball, golfing, and spending time with friends and family. In 1998 he traded the Forest Service for a camper and began the tradition of summer traveling with his family. This past summer was the best trip yet and he relived it for anyone who would listen, or just couldn’t get away. He loved teaching and coaching his “other” kids, his students, to whom he was known as: Chief, Coach, Papa Fliny, and occasionally Mr. Flinders. He was an avid 49’ers fan and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He is survived by his wife Chris Flinders of Circle; his son Derek Flinders of Helena; his daughter Cassie (Dustin) Bradford of Spokane, WA; his father Reid Flinders of Corvallis, MT; his sister Penny (Dirk) Sol of Newman Lake, WA; his niece Sydney; his nephew Jared and his two grandchildren Tyson and Hailey Bradford. Shayne was preceded in death by his mother Ona Beth; his grandparents, an aunt, and an infant sister Patrice.
Shayne was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and students.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Circle High School Gymnasium. Interment will follow at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be sent to a charity of choice.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Shayne R. Flinders – May you find comfort in your loving memories, great pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Flinders. It was not God’s purpose that mankind suffer and die. He has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). The Bible we are promised a resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Eddy , Lesley Jungers and family ( Cole, Bo, Aaron ) says
Love you guys! We will be praying for you all and thinking of the memories we have of Shayne .
xoxoxo
Mom and Clarence says
Dear Chris and Derek and all the family and friends of Shayne that loved and cared about him.
He will be missed and thought about and not forgotten. We have many memories and his life will go on in those memories.
We love you and cherish you and all the memories of the years he was here in this life with us.
O’s and X’s
Mom and Clarence
Jessica (Schmidt) Bradley says
Thinking of the family at this difficult time! Prayers to you all for God’s comfort. I have many memories of him as Coach and teacher.
Jody Haidle says
Chris, thinking of you during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers dear friend.
Punk and Karen says
Thinking about you guys. Will miss seeing Shayne by the fire pit at the “lot” telling his stories.
Prayers for you and the family.
Tim Boysun says
So sorry for your loss…I will never forget him…He taught me numerous things whether it was in class or on the basketball court…Prayers out to the whole family…I was shocked reading this…again prayers out and God Bless you all in this tough time..
Cherie Stiles Errecart says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May God give you peace.
Shayne Wittkopp says
First I would like to say how sorry I am for Chris and Derricks loss.
Second I would like to say how very privileged I feel to have known Shayne. He was so much more than a coach and teacher to me. I cannot explain in words how much he ment to me. He changed my life in ways I don’t think even he knew. There are so many things that I couldn’t have accomished in my life without him and his influence. He made me believe in myself when i didn’t, I taught me to expect more of myself than I did. I hope he knows how important he was to me and many other students.
My biggest regret is not telling him how important he was to me.
ARÊTE used to be on his classroom wall I still remember it like it was yesterday. The pursuit of greatness… That is what he gave me. The never say die, never give up, never be satisfied with average attitude.
I will miss you Chief
Samantha Roedel says
Even though I missed the chance to be on his class, drivers ed made up for all of it. Great memories, great man. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jaymes Breitbach says
I remember Mr. Flinders as an engaging and entertaining educator. His lectures were always the highlight of the school day. He once gave me extra points for offhandedly quoting Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address while trying to win an argument. His passion for his work was apparent and we all looked forward to his final project of the year which saw us students making video reports on our selected topics. The last couple of days of school watching everyone’s “movie” are among the best memories I have of high school. I will miss him very much, Mr. Flinders will always have a special place in my heart. Much love to Chris and Derek, my thoughts are with your entire family.
Stacey Hanrahan says
I remember Mr. Flinders when he taught and coached in Flaxville. My thoughts and prayers and deepest condolences go out to Chris, Derek and all of Shayne’s family and close friends. He will be missed.
Wilma Allen says
We were neighbors with Reid and Ona Beth, and our kids grew up with Shane and Penny, being in the same grades. It saddens me to hear of Shane’s passing. Please accept my family’s sympathy . Wilma Allen and family
Karla Leibrand says
My thoughts and prayers are with you Chris & Derek. I was so sorry to hear about Shayne’s passing. I am thinking of you both.
Karla
BriAnna Gasper says
Dear Chris, Derek, & family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. He was a great teacher, & coach. He is missed. His memory will live on in our hearts and memories of his life.
God Bless you all, may He give you peace & comfort.
Sincerely, BriAnna
dawn meyers says
was so sad to hear this news. it has been over 20 years since you coached us in Flaxville and you all were a part of our lives. much love and prayers sent for peace and healing. rest in paradise Coach.
Ann Wittkopp says
Love and miss you always Papa Flin.
Amanda Breitbach says
I was so sorry to hear this news. Chris and Derek, I wish you peace and comfort. Mr. Flinders was a warm person and a great teacher with a wonderful sense of humor. I am glad I had the chance to know him.
Harvey and Trudy Kirkegard says
Our sincere sympathy to Chris and Derek. Two of my children were lucky enough to have Shayne as their coach and teacher and both of them commented on how much fun they had in their classes with him. He will be missed by many and we pray that he is now resting in peace.
Mike Rose says
My sincere condolences to the family of Shayne. I was Shayne’s high school basketball coach at Corvallis High School. Shayne was a hard, dedicated worker and an outstanding student. Because of that and his ability as a player was able to attend college on an athletic scholarship. His work ethic and education enabled him to become an outstanding teacher and coach. I know through his efforts and dedication he has touched the lives of many students, athletes and their parents. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family during this time of sorrow. Rest in Peace Shayne
Wendy (Ruud) Dahl says
I am so deeply saddened by your loss Chris and Derek. Shayne was one of the best coaches in Flaxville. I still remember the first day of practice when you guys arrived. You will always be in my heart with many great memories. Please know I feel your pain as I still continue to miss my dad who passed just 18 days before Shayne. Many great moments come to mind with Dad and Coach. Time will heal all wounds but know you always have friends in Flaxville who love you dearly.
Brent Sukut says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Chris and Derek. You are both people that I have always felt so close to. I can remember Derek at our practices and track meets and couldn’t help but feel like he was always apart of the successes and pain that we all endured. Chris, you were always the glue that kept us all sane throughout the sports seasons. You always made me realize that the harder he made me was all because he believed in my abilities. It is so difficult to discribe the pain that I feel in losing a man that instilled a large part of who I am. When I heard the news I was in disbelief for days. How can the man who showed me what mental toughness and perservence be gone from not only my life but everyone that ever knew him? Those free life lessons will never be forgotten and will live on in me forever. You made me believe in myself and overcome difficult times. I have always tried to pass on your John Wayne approach to all players that I have coached. I was fortunate enough to know Chief as a leader, mentor and friend. My sadness in his loss and all that he has done for me and for my closest friends will never be forgotten and his lasting impression will live with me forever. I am forever great full to have had you in my life.
My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you all, today and all the days to come,
Brent Sukut and family
Ann Flinders says
My heart goes out to you all for your loss. Though it was not often I was able to see Shayne, I really loved to hear his stories and enjoyed his sense of humor. Chris, Reid, and families you remain in my thoughts and heart.
Larry Markuson says
You aren’t our thoughts and prayers. God bless, and may he bring you peace and comfort you in your loss.
Bruce and Margaret Timpano says
Chris and Derek we were so sorry to learn of your loss. Memories are so special especially now, may they give comfort to you both. Hugs to you and know that you are being thought of.
Lois & Ken Gardner says
What a shock never did we expect to here this sad news. our prayers are with you Chris & Derek & Family
We were friends with the whole family and enjoyed all the time we spent with Shayne’s family We so enjoyed watching Shayne progress in his athletic field
I remember the kindness of Shayne & Chris letting me walk with them in to the cemetery
the day of Peggy’s Funeral .You’re Kindness Ment a lot to me.
May God always be with you both His Parents was proud of that BOY.
LOVE YOU BOTH Ken & LOIS GARDNER
Kathleen Riddle says
Chris & Derek,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers, may you feel the peace of Christ during this time. Memories are wonderful, pictures great, walking down memory lane whenever you need to, but having them with us means more. I guess God needed him more.
Kathleen Riddle
Melissa Cromwell says
Sending big hugs and wishes for better days ahead from the Wolves Den.
Quentin & Nettie Brown Family says
Chris, Derek , Reid and families
Our families “grew up” together and it really was a shock to hear about Shane. He was one of the nicest, funniest guys and when we think of him we will always smile because that was the kind of friend he was. Although we have not met Chris or Derek, we will keep you in our prayers in the difficult days ahead. Just know there are many, many people thinking of you…..we will miss him, too. Mom and Dad are gone now, also, and we are sure Dad is giving him basketball playing hints!
Jere Kee and Milton Gunderson says
Dear Chris,
We were shocked and saddened by Shayne’s death. You have been in our thoughts and prayers since we heard, I’m so, so sorry.
Love, Jere Lee
Jackie Jungers says
I am sure going to miss our golf outings and hearing the familiar “Chrissy” often while rolling his eyes. It is so hard to believe he is gone. I am going to miss him. I love you both very much. If you need anything…I AM there!!!
XOXOXOXO
Dan Murphy says
To the Family of Shayne:
I was deepened saddened to learn of the passing of Shayne. He will forever be remembered by me as a wonderful teacher, coach, athlete and person. It is my sincere hope that the memories you all have of him will help in this your time of need.
Milan Griffin says
I found out his father past away. Through his father’s obituary I found Shayne passed away about a year ago. I knew Shayne while growing up in Corvallis. He was fun loving and enjoyed life. He was two years ahead of me in high school. I played freshmen ball and saw Shayne tearing things up on varsity.
Warm regards,
Milan
Terry Jenkins says
I was a classmate of Shayne and knew both of his folks and also his sister. I would guard him in basketball so knew he was a good player. To Shayne’s and his father’s family my condolences