C. Edwin "Ted" Flandro, Jr.

Ted Flandro ( a.k.a. C. Edwin Flandro, Jr.), 83 of American Falls, Idaho passed away peacefully on Monday June 7th, 2021. He died in the comfort of his home due to an extended illness. He will be missed by his family and friends for his quick wit, storytelling ability and his hearty laugh. Ted was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 25th, 1937, to C. Edwin Flandro and Stella Maria Soderberg. He was the oldest of three children including Susan and Tim. He started school in California, then in Utah and Idaho, where he graduated from Pocatello High School in 1956. Ted attended Idaho State University and was only a few credits short of a Business Degree. Ted was married to Sandra Chambers Flandro when he was a senior at Poky High School and together, they had four children. Divorced after 10 years they stayed in contact to co-parent their children. Later, Ted married Myrna Zweigart and helped to raise her three children Teri, Fred, and Willie Zweigart. They later divorced. The third time was the charm for Ted when he met Debbie Stratton the day she came into the Dealership to buy a car with her father, Wendell Stratton. The rest is history for more than 42 years.

Ted worked in all facets of road construction, even owning his own dump truck before his love of cars drew him into the automobile business. He worked his way up from a lube-oil tech to President of C. Ed Flandro Ford, a family-owned business that served Pocatello for over 48 years.

He worked hard his whole life and played even harder. He loved water and snow skiing, raising Labradors for bird hunting, snowmobiling, and car racing -- both flat track and circle track. Later he ran a midget racing team that competed all over the western US. Raising llamas also became a part of his life when he and Debbie moved to American Falls. It was a challenge for “two fat little city kids” to haul hay and deal with livestock. He was known for catching the biggest fish while deep sea fishing on their annual trip to Mexico and they spent countless hours searching for the best fishing hole on American Falls Reservoir and Hebgen Lake. He was the best jet boat driver when teaching all of his kids and grandkids how to waterski. Ted also had an artistic side that included oil painting in his younger years, painting racing flames on his 50’s Ford tractor, carving pumpkins at Halloween, and restoring collector cars. His favorite pastime was sharing a frosty beverage with family and friends while telling the same stories over and over.

Ted believed in giving back to his community. He was the past President of the ISU Bengal Foundation, a founding member of the Pocatello Sports Committee that brought two National Championship Playoff football games to the Minidome (a.k.a. Holt Arena) and produced the “Taste of Idaho” fund raiser. Ted was also involved in the Pocatello Marathon at its inception; and for years he and Debbie were the volunteer “cleanup crew” at the end of the marathon on Labor Day weekend. He was always a strong supporter of local school sports and scholarship programs. Ted had a unique way of deciding which donation request could be filled by Flandro Ford. He would gather the requests during the month (and there were many), then put them on a dart board and throw a dart to see which ones could be paid out within the Companies donation budget. He was loved and respected by his employees, and he helped to build the kind of “customer loyalty” to Flandro Ford that is still remembered today.

Ted was pre-deceased by his parents and a son, Kirk Flandro. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Debbie Flandro; his siblings, Susan Flandro, Tim Flandro, and longtime family friend, Dr. Nancy Parry; by his children, Melonnie (Frank) Green, Cory Flandro, and Jeralyn (Rod) Herron-Hamlin; grandchildren, Jacie (Justin) Coleman, Jon Green, Matt (Breann) Green, Kelsey Flandro, Carly (Jake) Flandro, Ari Herron, Libby Stanislowski; and great-grandchildren, Abby, Tyler, Zane, Whitney, Vivianne, Daphne, Jaxson, Cooper, Willow, Harper, Bentley and Dylan. Ted was a lover of several “four-footed” children with too many names to mention. At the end of his life a Golden -Doodle named, Don Juan (a.k.a. Juanie) stole his heart.

The family would like to thank Dr. LaVonne R. Mills and Heritage Home Health even though it was only a short time that they provided help and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in the memory of Ted Flandro. Aid for Friends, the Pocatello Food Bank and the ISU Bengal Foundation were charitable causes that Ted supported.

A private family graveside ceremony will be held on Saturday June 19, 2021, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens. A “Celebration of Life” for family and close friends will be held at the Sandpiper Restaurant, 1400 Bench Road, Pocatello, on Saturday June 19, 2021, from 3-6 PM. Everyone is encouraged to drive their classic cars to this event in Ted’s honor.

Ted’s Life Motto when asked by anyone how he was doing, he would reply “Just Rid’in around, Get In.” He enjoyed the Ride!!!