Lake Highlands lost a longtime advocate for children this week when Karen Flanagan lost her battle with breast cancer.
Karen worked behind the scenes promoting youth soccer in Lake Highlands and beyond, serving on the boards of Dallas Cup, North Texas Soccer and the Girls’ Olympic Development Program. To most of us raising children in LH, she was best known as the woman behind Lake Highlands recreational soccer, where she volunteered for 20 years. If you’ve cheered your child or grandchild at Moss Park, you’ve benefitted from Karen’s dedication and hours of service. Karen took great pride in the accomplishments of the kids, on and off the field, and she enjoyed sitting in her folding chair near the concession stand, taking it all in. This photo includes my Laura and her second grade team coached by Paul Gittemeier. They are now college seniors.
Karen’s greatest joy was her three sons, Brian, Brad, and Blake, all of whom played at various levels, from rec soccer to the pros, and if you ever attended a Dallas Sidekicks game at Reunion Arena, you heard squeals of delight from a bevy of female fans whenever handsome Brad took the field. And Karen swelled with pride when asked about her beloved grandchildren. Karen will be missed and her influence will be felt for many years to come.
