Wesley Terrance Flynn, a longtime high school coach and athletic director in Arizona, passed away Oct. 29

He was 74.

Flynn began his successful career at Dysart High in 1965 after earning high praise as a basketball player at the University of Arizona. He was named Outstanding Senior in Basketball, Most Inspirational Basketball Player and the U of A’s Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1965.

Flynn went on to coach basketball at Dysart High School and then at Casa Grande High, where he also served as athletic director.

“His time as a coach and athletic director meant the world to him and changed many kids lives,” Devin Rankin, Flynn’s stepson, said.

In 1969, Flynn guided Dysart High to its first and only boys basketball championship crown, defeating Peoria 31-29 in the title game.

In 1970 he moved to Casa Grande to teach and coach and was named Athletic Director of the Year in 1989-90.

Flynn is survived by his life partner Becky Rankin, daughter Kelly Antolak and her husband Scott, sons Brian Flynn and his wife Lois and Galen Flynn and his wife Suzy, stepdaughters Devin Rankin and her wife Brianne and Meghann Klinger and her husband Mike, his beloved grandsons Rorry and Zach Antolak, Brayden and Graysen Flynn, L.J. and Cy Klinger, Reece Rankin-Hobbs, and Tom and Mike and Tucker Finucane. Flynn is also survived by his loving brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and the many players and students whom touched his life.

A celebration of Flynn’s life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Casa Grande High’s gym. In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made to the U of A Foundation/Men’s Basketball program in memory of Wesley Flynn and mailed to Arizona Athletics, Courtney Anthony, PO Box 210096, Room 246, Tucson, AZ 85721 or call 520-621-2582.