John Henry Flathman, USMC Ret., 79, passed away on October 1, 2021.  He was quiet, respected, generous, loving and the best dad two sons could have ever had.  He was our invincible hero.

Born May 15, 1942, he lived a full life, one of faith, service, sacrifice, honor and love.  

John was a 1960 graduate of Herschel V. Jenkins High School, attended Georgia Military Academy and later graduated from his beloved Auburn University in 1964.  Upon graduation, he married the love of his life, the late Crystal Hunter Flathman, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps where he was a member of the Thundering Third - 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.  He was later deployed to Vietnam as an Infantry Officer and was quickly promoted to Captain where he served bravely in forward positions near the DMZ.   He was a recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for meritorious acts in combat operations and the Purple Heart after being shot down in a helicopter while on duty. Surprising all of us, he was featured on a training exercise in the Ken Burns PBS documentary, The Vietnam War.

After being honorably discharged, he joined Great Dane Trailers in Savannah where he worked for the company for 40+ years. He was named Plant Manager of the Brazil, Ind. manufacturing plant and relocated to Terre Haute, Ind. He later helped acquire and open a second facility in Terre Haute, Ind. and was named Vice President where he served until his retirement.  He often spoke about the amazing men and women he had the chance to work with in Indiana.  While in Indiana, he served on the Board of Directors at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

Upon retirement, he and his wife returned to their hometown of Savannah where, on his family’s property, they built their dream home, Heron Cove, which was named for the many blue herons that frequent the adjacent creek and saltwater ponds. He loved looking out over the marsh - it was peaceful.

Married for more than 50 years, he was a loving and supportive husband and father.  He and his wife were amazing constant companions and we still marvel at their deep love and commitment to one another.  We know they are having a wonderful time reunited in heaven.  

He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Savannah and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terre Haute.  He was a loyal supporter of Auburn University who, in partnership with Ford, surprised him by honoring him on the field during the 2019 Auburn football season in front of nearly 90,000 fans - they offered him a roaring standing ovation.  A quiet hero, he was humbled. Rather than accepting the honor for himself, he instead heaped praise on his fellow Marines, many of whom did not return from the war. Semper Fidelis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Josie Flathman and his wife, Crystal Hunter Flathman (2018).  He is survived by his two sons, Christian Hunter Flathman and Jonathan Sloan Flathman, his daughter-in-law, Shannan Daily Flathman, and his two grandchildren, his true pride and joy - Josie Grace Flathman and John “Jack” Steel Flathman.  He was so proud of them and loved them so much.

He will be laid to rest next to the love of his life with full military honors during a private funeral at Forest Lawn/Bonaventure in Savannah.  

Well done good and faithful servant.  At ease, we have the watch.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Savannah, the Georgia Military Academy Foundation, the Auburn University Athletic Foundation or the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.