Well-Known Brandon Educator Lyle Flagg Dead at 85

Family, friends and former students are mourning the death of beloved longtime Brandon educator Lyle Flagg, who died Tuesday, May 21 at the age of 85.

• For a tribute piece recounting memories of family and friends, see Lyle Flagg's Mark in Brandon Was Wide and Deep

Born Jan. 13, 1928 to Forrest and Louise Flagg in Fayette, Maine, Flagg served in the Navy during World War II and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Maine.

In 1954, he moved his family to Brandon where he served 40 years with the Hillsborough County School System and was a longtime member of Nativity Catholic Church.

During his tenure as an educator, Flagg was principal of Pinecrest High School, Dowdell Junior High School, Brandon High School from 1968-74, East Bay High School, Armwood High School from 1984-90, and was the director of secondary education for the school system. He retired in 1990 and the football field at Armwood High School was named in his honor.

As an educator, he served as chairman of the Florida Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and as executive director of the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators.

In 2011 he was presented with the Hillsborough County Human Rights Person of the Year Award for his work mentoring minority school administrators.

He was also dedicated community servant, serving as a trustee of Brandon Regional Hospital, past chairman of the Riverview and Brandon chambers of commerce, and president of the Brandon Lions Club and Brandon Rotary Club.

He earned the Rotary designation of Paul Harris Fellow for his longtime service to the organization.

Flagg had a passion for flying. He was a pilot with a commercial rating, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and one of the original founders, past president and longtime board member of the Sun ‘N Fun Fly In, held each year in Lakeland. He was subsequently presented the title of chairman emeritus of Sun 'N Fun.

He also was a member of the Florida Air Museum and Quiet Birdmen, an honorary aviation fraternity.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Vivian Perron Flagg; his daughter Lee Hinkle (Cliff); his sons Reggie (Cherie), Dan, Howard (Lynn), Tom (Linda), Tim (Pam); nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Friday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Southern Funeral Care in Riverview. A funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Lyle Flagg Endowment, University of South Florida Foundation, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620. The endowment will be used for students in educational administration.