June 20, 2007
Langdon Strong Flowers, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2007. Mr. Flowers, born on Feb. 12, 1922 in Thomasville, was the son of Flewellyn Strong Flowers and William Howard Flowers. On June 3, 1944, Mr. Flowers married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Bobbie Clisby Powell, of Thomasville. Mr. Flowers was a lifetime resident of Thomasville. His greatest interests in life were his family, his faith, his church, his community, his company and his country.
Mr. Flowers received his early education in Thomasville public schools, showing leadership ability even at a young age. He served as captain of the Thomasville High School football team and president of his graduating class of 1940.
He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT in 1944 where he was elected president of his class and of his social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was presented the Barton Rogers Award, the highest honor given by MIT to a graduating senior.
Soon after Pearl Harbor, Mr. Flowers enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his college education on the V-12 program. Upon graduation, he attended Midshipman?s School at Notre Dame and received his commission as Ensign. His active service during World War II was aboard the aircraft carrier ?Belleau Wood? as Engineering Officer for Air Group 31. His ship was a part of Admiral Halsey?s Third Fleet, which saw action off the coast of Japan near the end of the war. Mr. Flowers, by then promoted to Lt. JG, was one of the first U.S. servicemen to go ashore in Japan after the peace agreement was signed.
At the war?s end, Mr. Flowers returned to MIT where he earned a master?s degree in aeronautical engineering. He then worked for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, CA, joining an aeronautical design team there.
In 1947, Mr. Flowers? brother, William Howard Flowers, Jr., was planning to enlarge the family business, Flowers Baking Company, and discussed the possibility of Langdon returning to Thomasville to join the company. Later that year, Langdon Flowers began his career with Flowers Baking Company, now Flowers Foods NYSE: FLO, in the sales department and served in all positions of leadership, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer of the company in 1965, a member of the Board of Directors when the company listed publicly in 1968, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1976, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1981. During those years, the company expanded to become one of the country?s largest baked foods businesses. Mr. Flowers retired in 1985 with the title of Retired Chairman of the Board. He continued to serve as a member of Flowers? Board of Directors until 2004 when he was named Honorary Director.
Throughout his life, Mr. Flowers inspired and encouraged countless people within his company. Flowers Foods? highest employee honor bears his name, recognizing integrity, dedication to excellence, the ability to inspire others, and caring actions, all of which were demonstrated best by Langdon Strong Flowers.
During his career, Mr. Flowers served the baking industry in other capacities, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Southern Bakers Association, American Bakers Association, and American Institute of Baking, as well as a member of the board of the National Association of Manufacturers. He also served on the Board of Directors for American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Georgia Power, Business and Industry Political Action Committee, the Georgia Council on Economic Education, the Bank of Thomas County, and the W.J. Powell Company.
In addition to his career with the company, Mr. Flowers was very active in all phases of community service in Thomasville. He served as President of the YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Thomasville Rotary Club. He was named Man of the Year in 1975.
Believing that a citizen?s duty is to be politically active, he worked diligently for causes and candidates he felt would best serve the country. Mr. Flowers served in a leadership role for U.S. President Ronald Reagan?s successful 1984 re-election campaign. He also served as a presidential elector from Georgia, casting his ballot on December 17, 1984 at the State Capitol for President Reagan?s re-election.
As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, Mr. Flowers was elected Deacon, Elder, and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Ga. and of Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. The college awarded him the honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree in appreciation for his service. He was also a member of the Board of the Lay Committee of the Presbyterian Church.
As a well-known inspirational speaker, Mr. Flowers was invited to present his thoughts to many civic, church, and business groups. Years after hearing his talk, ?Priorities of Christian Businessmen and Businesswomen,? people who had heard it would seek Mr. Flowers out to thank him for the wonderful influence the talk had had on their lives.
Mr. Flowers enjoyed all forms of sports activities. During high school, it was football; in college, he rowed on the crew for MIT. He was an avid golfer and hunter. As a member of Glen Arven Country Club of Thomasville, Biltmore Forest Country Club in North Carolina, and the GA-FL Field Trial Club, he enjoyed these sports with friends. But the sport he enjoyed most of all was a walk through the woods of South Georgia.
Mr. and Mrs. Flowers believed it was important to teach their children ?there?s a big world out there.? Trips in the U.S. were considered important family times to share. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Flowers traveled to many other parts of the world. They also hosted foreign students in their home and encouraged their married children to do so.
Mr. Flowers? wife, Bobbie, preceded him in death after almost 60 years of marriage. Survivors include children Peggy and Scott Rich, Mandy and Langdon Flowers, Libba Flowers, Dorothy and Ron Swinson, and Kim and Jay Flowers. Grandchildren include Charnie and Max Beverly, Scott Rich, Jr., Margaret and Trip Brock, Maggie Flowers, Sandy and Lang Flowers III, Craig Flowers, Boyd McKinney, Celeste and Mose Bracey, Cara McKinney, Sarah Swinson, Julie Swinson, Hayley Swinson, Ross Swinson, Jack Flowers, Davis Flowers, Chase Flowers, and Hampton Flowers. Great-grandchildren include Max Beverly, Rich Beverly, Strong Beverly, Anne Clifton, Clara Clifton, Langdon Flowers IV, and Bradshaw Flowers. Other survivors include sister-in-law and husband, Lella and Harry Jones, Jean Bussey, his personal assistant for more than 30 years, and numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews, and many golfing friends and hunting buddies.
Mr. Flowers also was preceded in death by his brother William Howard Flowers, Jr. and sisters Margaret Flowers Rogers, Flewellyn Flowers Waidner, and Claire Flowers Varnedoe.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22 at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville. The family has requested that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, 225 E. Jackson St., Thomasville, Ga. 31792, The Brookwood School Building Fund, 301 Cardinal Ridge Rd., Thomasville, Ga. 31792 and the Thomasville YMCA, P.O. Box 1035, Thomasville, Ga. 31799. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
Allen & Allen Funeral Home
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Langdon Strong Flowers, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2007. Mr. Flowers, born on Feb. 12, 1922 in Thomasville, was the son of Flewellyn Strong Flowers and William Howard Flowers. On June 3, 1944, Mr. Flowers married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Bobbie Clisby Powell, of Thomasville. Mr. Flowers was a lifetime resident of Thomasville. His greatest interests in life were his family, his faith, his church, his community, his company and his country.
Mr. Flowers received his early education in Thomasville public schools, showing leadership ability even at a young age. He served as captain of the Thomasville High School football team and president of his graduating class of 1940.
He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT in 1944 where he was elected president of his class and of his social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was presented the Barton Rogers Award, the highest honor given by MIT to a graduating senior.
Soon after Pearl Harbor, Mr. Flowers enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his college education on the V-12 program. Upon graduation, he attended Midshipman?s School at Notre Dame and received his commission as Ensign. His active service during World War II was aboard the aircraft carrier ?Belleau Wood? as Engineering Officer for Air Group 31. His ship was a part of Admiral Halsey?s Third Fleet, which saw action off the coast of Japan near the end of the war. Mr. Flowers, by then promoted to Lt. JG, was one of the first U.S. servicemen to go ashore in Japan after the peace agreement was signed.
At the war?s end, Mr. Flowers returned to MIT where he earned a master?s degree in aeronautical engineering. He then worked for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, CA, joining an aeronautical design team there.
In 1947, Mr. Flowers? brother, William Howard Flowers, Jr., was planning to enlarge the family business, Flowers Baking Company, and discussed the possibility of Langdon returning to Thomasville to join the company. Later that year, Langdon Flowers began his career with Flowers Baking Company, now Flowers Foods NYSE: FLO, in the sales department and served in all positions of leadership, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer of the company in 1965, a member of the Board of Directors when the company listed publicly in 1968, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1976, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1981. During those years, the company expanded to become one of the country?s largest baked foods businesses. Mr. Flowers retired in 1985 with the title of Retired Chairman of the Board. He continued to serve as a member of Flowers? Board of Directors until 2004 when he was named Honorary Director.
Throughout his life, Mr. Flowers inspired and encouraged countless people within his company. Flowers Foods? highest employee honor bears his name, recognizing integrity, dedication to excellence, the ability to inspire others, and caring actions, all of which were demonstrated best by Langdon Strong Flowers.
During his career, Mr. Flowers served the baking industry in other capacities, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Southern Bakers Association, American Bakers Association, and American Institute of Baking, as well as a member of the board of the National Association of Manufacturers. He also served on the Board of Directors for American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Georgia Power, Business and Industry Political Action Committee, the Georgia Council on Economic Education, the Bank of Thomas County, and the W.J. Powell Company.
In addition to his career with the company, Mr. Flowers was very active in all phases of community service in Thomasville. He served as President of the YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Thomasville Rotary Club. He was named Man of the Year in 1975.
Believing that a citizen?s duty is to be politically active, he worked diligently for causes and candidates he felt would best serve the country. Mr. Flowers served in a leadership role for U.S. President Ronald Reagan?s successful 1984 re-election campaign. He also served as a presidential elector from Georgia, casting his ballot on December 17, 1984 at the State Capitol for President Reagan?s re-election.
As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, Mr. Flowers was elected Deacon, Elder, and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Ga. and of Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. The college awarded him the honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree in appreciation for his service. He was also a member of the Board of the Lay Committee of the Presbyterian Church.
As a well-known inspirational speaker, Mr. Flowers was invited to present his thoughts to many civic, church, and business groups. Years after hearing his talk, ?Priorities of Christian Businessmen and Businesswomen,? people who had heard it would seek Mr. Flowers out to thank him for the wonderful influence the talk had had on their lives.
Mr. Flowers enjoyed all forms of sports activities. During high school, it was football; in college, he rowed on the crew for MIT. He was an avid golfer and hunter. As a member of Glen Arven Country Club of Thomasville, Biltmore Forest Country Club in North Carolina, and the GA-FL Field Trial Club, he enjoyed these sports with friends. But the sport he enjoyed most of all was a walk through the woods of South Georgia.
Mr. and Mrs. Flowers believed it was important to teach their children ?there?s a big world out there.? Trips in the U.S. were considered important family times to share. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Flowers traveled to many other parts of the world. They also hosted foreign students in their home and encouraged their married children to do so.
Mr. Flowers? wife, Bobbie, preceded him in death after almost 60 years of marriage. Survivors include children Peggy and Scott Rich, Mandy and Langdon Flowers, Libba Flowers, Dorothy and Ron Swinson, and Kim and Jay Flowers. Grandchildren include Charnie and Max Beverly, Scott Rich, Jr., Margaret and Trip Brock, Maggie Flowers, Sandy and Lang Flowers III, Craig Flowers, Boyd McKinney, Celeste and Mose Bracey, Cara McKinney, Sarah Swinson, Julie Swinson, Hayley Swinson, Ross Swinson, Jack Flowers, Davis Flowers, Chase Flowers, and Hampton Flowers. Great-grandchildren include Max Beverly, Rich Beverly, Strong Beverly, Anne Clifton, Clara Clifton, Langdon Flowers IV, and Bradshaw Flowers. Other survivors include sister-in-law and husband, Lella and Harry Jones, Jean Bussey, his personal assistant for more than 30 years, and numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews, and many golfing friends and hunting buddies.
Mr. Flowers also was preceded in death by his brother William Howard Flowers, Jr. and sisters Margaret Flowers Rogers, Flewellyn Flowers Waidner, and Claire Flowers Varnedoe.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22 at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville. The family has requested that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, 225 E. Jackson St., Thomasville, Ga. 31792, The Brookwood School Building Fund, 301 Cardinal Ridge Rd., Thomasville, Ga. 31792 and the Thomasville YMCA, P.O. Box 1035, Thomasville, Ga. 31799. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
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