Former Democratic Rep. John Flynt Jr., also known as Jack, died June 24 at his home in Griffin, Ga. He was 92, and the cause of death was cancer. [IMGCAP(1)]

Flynt was born in Spalding County, Ga., in 1914. In 1954, after earning a law degree at George Washington University and a Bronze Star during World War II, he was elected to Congress.

He went on to serve in the House for the next 25 years in various capacities, including on the Ethics, Appropriations, and Interstate and Foreign Commerce committees. In 1974 and again in 1976, he was re-elected against a then-unknown Georgia Republican named Newt Gingrich. Gingrich finally got a House seat when Flynt retired in 1979.

Current Georgia Members have fond memories of and kind words for Flynt.

“Mr. and Mrs. Flynt and my parents were friends, so he was a friend of mine for literally as long as I can remember,” Rep. John Barrow (D) recalled. “He represented our state with great dignity and effectiveness during a time of great progress. We had a lot to learn from his generation of Congressmen, and he will be missed. In fact, he has been missed ever since he retired.”

“I wish I’d served with Jack,” Rep. Jim Marshall (D) said. “He had a wonderful reputation as a colleague to fellow Members and as a great Representative for his constituents and his state.”

Flynt is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia Irby Bradley Flynt; his children, Susan Flynt Stirn, John Flynt III and Crisp Flynt; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held June 26 at the Griffin First United Methodist Church and the Haisten McCullough Funeral Home.