Lyle Flagg, a SUN ‘n FUN pioneer, board member and volunteer, passed away Tuesday, May 21, in Brandon, Fla. He was 85.
Born Jan. 13, 1928, in Fayette, Maine, he was a Navy veteran of World War II and received his bachelors and masters degrees from University of Maine.
Mr. Flagg moved with his wife and children to Florida in 1954. He served his 40-year career in the Hillsborough County School System. He was principal of Pinecrest High School, Dowdell Junior High School, Brandon High School, East Bay High School, Armwood High School and was the Director of Secondary Education for the school system. He retired in 1990.
In his professional capacity, 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.
A dedicated community servant, he was a past trustee of Brandon Regional Hospital, past chairman of the Riverview and Brandon Chambers of Commerce, and president of the Brandon Lions and Rotary Clubs. He earned the Rotary designation of Paul Harris Fellow for his longtime service to the organization. The football field at Armwood High School is named for him.
His avocation and great joy in life was 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 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.
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.