In life, Lt. Col. Michael Scott Flurry, known simply as Scott, was many things: a dedicated Marine, loving husband, proud father of four girls, and an unwavering University of Nebraska Cornhusker fan who never missed a game. Standing tall at 6’4″, Scott was known for his commanding presence and deep commitment to service. At just 39 years old, he made one final, extraordinary act of generosity when he passed away in February 2024, becoming an organ, eye, and tissue donor—despite seemingly impossible odds.
In the U.S., 170 million people were registered as organ donors by 2022, yet only 3 in 1,000 deaths occur in a way that allows for donation after death. Scott faced an even greater challenge—after suffering an unexpected heart attack, he was declared brain-dead in the country of Norway, more than 1,100 miles away from home. Despite the international hurdle, his wife, Lindsay Flurry, was determined to share Scott’s lifesaving gifts with others, allowing him to become a much-needed miracle for total strangers.
Prior to his career taking him to Norway, Scott and Lindsay’s years together were marked by a whirlwind of deployments and relocations, from Camp Lejeune—where they adopted two girls and had two more “homegrowns”—to Twentynine Palms, California, and later, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Scott was committed to personal excellence, completing significant military educational programs during his career, including the prestigious U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, reserved for only the best and brightest officers.
“Kansas was probably one of our sweetest seasons,” Lindsay reflected. “It was the first time in our marriage that he was home. We went there in 2019 and left in 2021. Covid hit, but we had a sweet network and a sweet neighborhood, and he was in school, so he ended up getting two master’s degrees in two years. There were only eight Marines at that school, so it was neat to be selected to go. He was a very smart man, and he worked very hard.”
In honor of his accomplishments and legacy, the school now bestows the Lt. Col. Michael “Scott” Flurry Award to one graduate each year, recognizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and superior leadership—all things Scott was deeply passionate about.
“After Scott earned his degrees, he had to complete a payback tour in planning,” said Lindsay. “We moved back to North Carolina during that time, and our girls were older, but that was a sweet time, too. Coastal North Carolina is beautiful, and we loved it to the point where we wanted to retire there. He spent the next three years planning a NATO exercise in Norway. He formed a great alliance with the Norwegians, and they loved him.”
The NATO exercise, called Nordic Response 24, sent Scott back to Norway one last time on Jan. 22, 2024. On Feb. 19, he left the gym after a workout and suffered a heart attack during a run.
“They used the defibrillators and brought him to a Norwegian hospital,” said Lindsay. “The general came to my door that morning. As a military spouse, you’re more prepared if they’re deployed, but this was just an exercise, and it hadn’t even started yet. When he came, I knew something wasn’t right. They flew me out to Norway. When I saw Scott, he looked so strong, handsome, and bold. It seemed like he was just sleeping. I thought everything would be okay, but his brain never regained activity. That’s part of why I was so committed to donation—his body was so healthy. They couldn’t do the donation in Norway, but the military stepped in and flew us home so the girls could say goodbye, and we could make the donation happen.”
After seven days in Norway, Scott was flown via a private flight to Camp Lejeune. Once they arrived, it had been 10 days, and Lindsay could tell Scott’s body was getting tired. “We knew somebody was praying for a miracle, and Scott would be able to provide it,” she said. “HonorBridge was there the next morning, and they were great. Very respectful and kind. They tried to do as many things as we wanted, like little hearts with his fingerprints and handprints.”
Following an honor walk at Lejeune’s Naval Medical Center, Scott was transported via ambulance to HonorBridge’s Donor Care Center in Chapel Hill, NC, where staff members held the facility’s inaugural honor walk in his honor. Scott’s liver and kidneys were able to be recovered and transplanted, as well as bone, tendon, heart valves, veins, cartilage, and skin.
“One of the recipients was a 15-year-old girl,” said Lindsay. “She was adopted, which is special, since two of our own girls were adopted. She’s in the ROTC. She rides horses, just like my 9-year-old. Her mom wrote me a letter. I haven’t met her, but I hope to. I feel like she belongs with us, too. She’s a part of our family now.”
Scott’s liver was transplanted to a mother of four, who now can spend more time with her family and loved ones. Scott’s left kidney was transplanted to a serviceman in his sixties through the military share program, which allows military family members to donate their loved one’s kidney to another military service member.
Over time, Scott’s tissue donations have the potential to heal countless others. His bone, skin, and cartilage grafts may be used in numerous surgical procedures in the future. His heart valves can potentially replace valves from patients born with congenital heart defects, valves that have become infected, or valves that no longer function properly. His veins may be used to restore blood flow to the extremities, replace infected grafts, and more. In the end, the magnitude and extent of Scott’s gifts cannot be measured—something that brings comfort and healing to his family.
“The gift of life—that’s what organ donation really is to someone else,” said Lindsay. “I honestly don’t know why you wouldn’t donate. You can’t take your organs with you, so why not try and help someone else? I love knowing that he lives on, and that he continues to help, provide, and love others, even after his passing. He gave life and let somebody else have a chance. I think it’s beautiful, and so healing. We need to continue living in honor of him—and I’m super thankful that the Marine Corps and HonorBridge helped make organ donation possible, with no hesitation.”
Watch this moving tribute to Lt. Col. Flurry and his family:
Anyone at any age can register their decision to become an organ, eye and tissue donor after death at honorbridge.org/registerme
