MARCH 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 23 3 x 10” March 2024 RSN Don Flanigan Lifetime Cowboy Don Flanigan Passes Away At Age 89 LIVERMORE, CALIF. – Vernon “Don” Flanigan was born August 17, 1934, and passed away on his ranch December 23, 2023. He was born to Lem and Tressie Flanigan in Chandler, Okla. In 1945 the family relocated to Oakland, Calif., as Lem was drafted during WWII for the war effort. Don, never leaving his cowboy heritage, entered his first rodeo at the age of 15, for a career of more than 20 years, and his accomplishments were many. While rodeoing during the 50’s and on through 70’s, he raised his family in Danville, Calif. During this time, he was a construction worker for Gallagher and Burk, shod horses, started a small cow herd and was a State of California Brand Inspector for Contra Costa County. He served as Vice President of the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) in 1962 for four years, following that was also a member of the board of directors. In 1970, he and his brother Burl bought a western store known as Bentley’s Saddlery and started operating it as Flanigan’s Frontier Shop over the next several years. While working in the store, he also ran a commercial cattle operation with Jack Sparrowk on the Blackhawk Ranch. In 1981, Don met Jack Harris, they made an instant connection and he started buying cattle for him, Jack passed soon after that meeting, but not long after Don met with Dave Wood to discuss becoming a buyer for Harris Feeding Company and that relationship lasted more than 40 years. Don was a true person that always believed the “harder you work, the luckier I get.” Truthfully, the rest is history. Don is survived by his wife Patricia of 68 years, daughters Donna Flanigan and Charlene Paulo, son-in-law Joseph Paulo, granddaughter Kori DeJean, great granddaughter Miss Maizie DeJean and Button, his beloved dog.
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