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In a move equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, Ohio surgeon Thomas Flanigan, MD, penned his own obituary prior to what he called a "shocking and unexpected, yet fabulous, exit."

Flanigan's cause of death on April 27 hasn't been made public, but the he wrote has made headlines and attracted the attention of those who knew and loved him, as well those who never met him.

"Yes, I have joined the likes of Princess Diana, John Belushi, and Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter in leaving while still at the top of my game as an iconic superhero who seemed almost too good to be true," Flanigan began his obit.

The surgeon and Army veteran said his life had been a "great run."

"I will admit that I originally got married for the husband jokes and had kids for the dad jokes. It did not disappoint. The jokes I mean, but Amy and the kids were pretty good too," Flanigan wrote. He added that he saw "delightful things in my time here," including "Hawaiian volcanoes, Egyptian pyramids, and even the advent of air fryers."

Flanigan continued: "In case you've heard the rumors, I did dabble in a few other things along the way during my 48 years, like serving my country in combat on two separate tours, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and saving countless lives as an accomplished surgeon and MD. Oh, there was also that whole, fulfilling, 'cosmetic and reconstructive surgery stint' too."

However, his real legacy, Flanigan wrote, included dad jokes and Facebook memes.

As friends and distant admirers flocked to his obit, one patient remarked that "Flanigan was like Superman," .

Another patient commented that Flanigan was an "amazing doctor" who showed love and compassion to those he treated. A friend wrote that Flanigan spent "an insane amount of hours" performing surgeries each week, and that he was a "loving husband" and "amazing father" as well as a "best friend to many."

One well-wisher posted that she didn't know Flanigan, but that the surgeon's obit was the best she'd ever read.

The obit included lines in which Flanigan referenced himself as the "Ginger God of Surgery and Shenanigans," and wrote that he had "fought my last cow," and "ridden off into the glorious sunset after re-enlisting with a new unit."

Flanigan concluded: "My whereabouts are now top secret, but let's just say I have made some new friends by the names of Elvis and Kenny. The Church of Tom is closed for business, but please continue to worship me, light candles, and send money. You know the deal."

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