Jan Flaharty, of Sheridan, passed away at home on February 20, 2019 surrounded by family, after a nine-month battle with glioblastoma mulitforme. Jan said often during the almost nine months he lived with cancer that he was grateful he was to transition this way because it gave him time to tell his family how much he loved and appreciated them. A private family celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
Jan was born on October 24, 1952 in Washington D.C. to Jack and Jean (Goldberg) Flaharty. Jan graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Zoology, the University of Montana with an M.S. in Environmental Studies, and the University of Oregon with a Doctor of Jurisprudence.
Jan’s life is captured well in the words of one of his sons, Scotty:
He could play any instrument that was placed before him and had a tremendous amount of knowledge about life in the backcountry. He was an intelligent and caring man who did incredible things for many people. I’ll miss the stories of him taking Josh and me out in the stroller, working for his parents at the produce shop when he was a kid, hanging out with the Eskimos in Alaska, all the concerts, crazy hiking/camping adventures, courtroom shenanigans, and many more. The things Jan loved most in life were his kids and dogs.
Jan is survived by sons Jacob Jenkins, Scotty Jenkins Flaharty, and Josh Jenkins Flaharty; daughter Emily Flaharty Jenkins; mother Jean Flaharty; significant other (and ex-wife) Charlotte Jenkins; nephews Craig (Holly) Reines and David (Michelle) Reines; grandchildren: Emilee, Elizabeth, Autumn, and Maurisa; and brother (from another mother), Richard Steffel. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Flaharty, and his sister, Lauren (Flaharty) Reines.
Memorial donations in memory of Jan may be made to help with college expenses for Emily Flaharty Jenkins and mailed to: Champion Funeral Home, 244 S. Brooks St., Sheridan, WY 82801, or to the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan County Hospice, or the Dog and Cat Shelter. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.
