Honorable J. Michael Flournoy, Ret.

John Michael Flournoy, also known as J. Michael, Michael, and Mike, lived a remarkable life of 89.5 years. He was born on April 5, 1937, in Williams, Arizona to Billy Mercer Flournoy and Eileen Esther Scanlon Flournoy. Billy was an operator of an automobile service station, while Michael’s grandfather, John Joseph Scanlon, Sr., was the office manager of Saginaw-Manistee Lumber Company. After the start of World War II, on December 7, 1941, the family moved to Alhambra, California where they resided while Billy worked in a shipyard factory building liberty ships for the war. After nine months in Alhambra, the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. Michael has resided in Flagstaff since 1942 (84 years), attending Emerson Elementary School, Flagstaff Junior High School, and graduating from Flagstaff High School in 1955…Go Eagles!

Michael excelled in the Flagstaff schools. He was always interested in athletics and government. He played basketball and baseball each year, as well as being the manager of the football team, earning eight varsity letters. He wanted to play football but was underweight. His 1955 Basketball Team won the first Flagstaff High School basketball championship, being honored by being placed in the Flagstaff High School Hall of Fame, Flagstaff Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, as well as being honored by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) in 2005, the 50th reunion of their championship. Michael was President of the 7th and 8th grade classes as well as Student Body secretary in the 9th grade at Flagstaff Junior High. He was President of his Sophomore Class, Student Council Vice President Junior year, and President of Senior High Council. He was President of the Drama Club, Secretary of National Honor Society, an officer in the Lettermen’s Club, a member of the Thespian Club, sang in the choir, Prom Court, and selected as a delegate to Arizona Boys State, just to name a few. He was an honor graduate, earning an academic scholarship to Arizona State College in Flagstaff (now Northern Arizona University).

Michael entered ASC as a freshman in 1955. He was elected Freshman Class President. His future wife and mother of his only child, JoAnna Howe, was Freshman Class Secretary. He was very active on campus, including participation in drama and intermural sports. After saving sufficient monies, August 1956 Michael transferred to the University of Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson 1956-1962, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (1959) as well as a Doctor of Laws from the College of Law (LLB changed to a Juris Doctor or JD degree a few years after his graduation) in 1962, and was admitted to State Bar of Arizona, September 1962. He continued to carry an active Arizona State Bar Card until his death…Bar No. 1394. While at Arizona, Michael was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity (Fiji), Senior Class President (1958-59), President of University Representative Council (1958-1959), a member of U of A Student Executive Council (1958-1959), a member and Vice Chairman of the Student Union Activity Board, a member of Chain Gang Junior Men’s Honorary, Blue Key Senior Men’s Honorary, and Traditions Committee. At the U of A School of Law, he was President of Phi Delta Phi Law Fraternity (1961-1962).

After graduation from U of A, Michael was president of the Flagstaff U of A Alumni Club, named to the U of A National Alumni Board, serving a maximum of eight years. He was instrumental in having fans wear red at football and basketball games. He also ensured that the beloved campus fountain became operational once again. He loved the University of Arizona Wildcat…Go Cats!

Michael commenced practicing law in September 1962, joining Bill Preston, creating Preston and Flournoy. He was the first Public Defender (1967-1968) in Coconino County, a part-time position. In 1968 and 1974 he was elected Coconino County Attorney for two four-year terms, a part-time position. The firm grew to Preston, Flournoy, Flick & Challis. In 1977, he became a sole practitioner (1977-1991) under J. Michael Flournoy, P.C. He was appointed to the Coconino County Superior Court bench commencing on January 30, 1992. Five times he was elected to Coconino County offices: Coconino County Attorney (1969-1976). and Coconino County Superior Court Judge (1992-2002). Michael retired July 1, 2002, due to macular degeneration.

Michael loved to work. His first job at 9 years of age was at a Flagstaff bakery, where he earned 50 cents a day. He worked continuously through his schooling, including City of Flagstaff recreation supervisor and coach, Orpheum Theatre changing the marquee at 11:00 pm at night, Saginaw Manistee and Southwest Forest (6 summers), various service stations, and Babbitt’s Men’s Shop. While at the U of A, he coached for Pima County Parks and Recreation and St. Cyril Catholic School. During his three college summers, he ran the Flagstaff Pee Wee Baseball Program for the City of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff School District. He coached the Cubs in Flagstaff Little League for 3 years and was the Flagstaff Little League All Star Team coach for 2 years, winning the Northern Arizona Championship in Kingman. He cherished his time coaching his teams!

Michael served as President of the Flagstaff High School Booster Club (2 years), President of the Town Jacks (Lumberjacks) Booster Club (2 years), selected by NAU President Walkup to be on the NAU Dome Committee, and served on the NAU committees selecting new football coaches. He played in the Flagstaff City Basketball League where his team won the city championship 2 years, played in the Flagstaff fast pitch and slow pitch leagues for years, was a member of the Tucson all star team which was runner-up in the first state big/small ball championship. He was the youngest member of the Flagstaff All Indian Pow-Wow Committee, a select group of Flagstaff residents who put on the All Indian Pow-Wow, which included the rodeo, ceremonials, and downtown parade over the 4th of July each year. He loved and supported everything Flagstaff.

In 1969, Michael and Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix Suns General Manager/President, negotiated to bring the Suns to Flagstaff for preseason practice. This was the second year the Suns’ organization’s existence, with the Suns playing the Los Angeles Lakers at the Coconino High School Gymnasium. The Lakers were led by Wilt Chamberlain, while the Suns were led by Dick VanArsdale. He loved being instrumental in sponsoring the only NBS game ever held in Flagstaff. He was a 50-year season ticket holder for the Suns.

NAU President Eugene Hughes asked Michael to co-sponsor a booster group for the Phoenix (now Arizona) Cardinals, after President Hughes attracted the team for preseason practice in Flagstaff. Michael with his fellow co-founders founded the Kachinas and decided to associate with the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Kachinas went to Sun Devil Stadium to award Kachinas to outstanding players in preseason training. The name of the group was later changed. He was an Arizona Cardinal season ticket holder for 20 years.

Michael was a huge baseball fan. His teams were the Cubs and Yankees, until the Diamondbacks were established. He became a season ticket holder and was there to watch the very first pitch.

Michael was an avid golfer for almost 40 years until his eyesight would not allow him to continue. He was a member of Coconino Country Club, which became Canyon Country Club, which became Continental Country. Club. He was one of the founding members of the Aspen Valley Golf Club and a member of Forest Highlands Golf Club.

Michael was extremely active in the Flagstaff Community. He was members of the Flagstaff Elks, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Flagstaff Kiwana’s Club, and Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. Michael was the Fundraising Drive Chairman for American Red Cross, Cancer Society, Easter Seals, American Heart Association, and United Way of Northern Arizona. He loved giving back to his Flagstaff community.

Michael was involved in various Flagstaff businesses, including Hickory Holler BBQ and Burger Barn. Flagstaff did not have a local television station. Michael was co-founder of Flagstaff KOAI Channel 2 television station, later known as KNAZ, a NBC affiliate.

Along with Michael remarkable life, he was a lifelong Catholic, which he credited any success in his life too, which included helping others.

Above all, Michael had incredible love for his family and friends. He leaves behind one daughter who he adored, Tamera (Tami) Christifulli, his wonderful son-in-law Nicholas, and his three grandchildren who he was extremely proud of, Michael, Nicholas, and Kyla, all college graduates from Siena College, University of Kansas (KU), and University of Kansas (KU) respectfully. He is also survived by his nieces, nephew, and godsons. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Eileen Flournoy, father Billy Flournoy, cherished sister Sally Sanchez.

Services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, 1600 Historic Route 66, in Flagstaff. The Rosary will begin at 10:00, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30.

The family is deeply grateful for the love and support they have received. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the NAU Holy Trinity Newman Center Building Campaign at https://catholicjacks.org/memorial or the Nativity of the BVM Restoration Fund at sfdaparish.org. Both were so dear to Michael.

Michael was a priceless gem, who will be deeply missed and forever loved. Until we meet again…