James R. Flood Of Forked River Dies At 84

Courtesy of Layton's Home for Funerals

James R. Flood of Forked River died earlier this month. He was 84.

He was the husband of the late Helen (Penny) Flood, father, and friend. He spent thirty years working with ABC Television. He started in the early days of T.V with the local news and the Jimmy Dean show as a stage manager, then made the transition into taped T.V with ABC Sports and ABC News.

He worked the early days of Monday Night Football and Wide World of Sports. He worked the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games and was one of the few newsmen on the scene for the hostage tragedy at the 1972 Munich Games.

He witnessed countless moonshots, then years later all of the early shuttle rides. The Columbia explosion was his last. While working on Presidential elections and conventions, he meet every president from Lyndon B Johnson to George H.W Bush. He participated and witnessed more of our history then most, but always considered himself just an average guy.

Jim spent his retirement in Forked River fishing, enjoying his family and finding new friends. His time with the friends of Bill gave his life meaning and filled it with the love of wonderful people. As his family we cannot thank these friends of his enough for enriching his life and helping him in his times of need.

He is survived by his sister Roberta Santry, his brother Thomas Flood, his daughters Maura Flood and Meg Flood, son-in-law Rob Ward, his grandchildren Kate Ward and Tim Ward. Also cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who he loved dearly. Our father will be missed by many.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Layton's Home For Funerals, in Forked River.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Church of Saint Pius X, Forked River. Cremation will be private. Visit www.laytons.net for additional information or to leave condolences for the family.

Image: Patch file photo.