Antonio M. Flores Dad was called to be with our Lord the evening of September 10, 2012. He had been a Douglas resident since 1927 when he came with his parents Jesus and Aurora Flores from Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico where he was born. While attending school, his father, a miner, passed away and at the age of 17, Dad left school to work at the Phelps Dodge Smelter to support his mother and siblings. He retired from the mine over 40 years later. He and his wife, Dolores (Varela) raised their children Antonio Jr., Rachel Bonner (Jack) and Christine Montez (Abundio). His grandchildren are Jack C. Bonner (Tracey); Adrian Montez (Annia) and Paul Anthony Montez (Leslie). Great-grandchildren: Nicole, Mailayla, Kristen, Paul Anthony and Sophia. Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (Varela), his sister Aurora Trujillo, and his nieces Cecilia Rodriguez, Sylvia Gonzalez and Selma Flores. Surviving siblings are Petra Rodriguez of Phoenix, Arizona, Robert Flores of Colton, California, and numerous nieces and nephews. I need to mention that as his oldest daughter, before my siblings were born around 1949, I observed my father mixing cement in the back yard then pouring the mixture into wooden molds he had constructed to make bricks for the home he was planning to build on 5th Street. Then, with a pick and shovel he started digging out a basement with the help of his younger brother Robert, the size of the entire home he was to build. Dad would accomplish this feat daily after putting in a whole day’s work at the smelter. Eventually he dug out the entire basement and poured the walls with concrete and stone. He then went on to hand build the home with the bricks he had constructed himself. Dad moved us into our new home in 1951. We, his children, will forever be grateful for the “fortress” he put together for us and also for providing us so much comfort and contentment without ever thinking of the sacrifice and effort you both put forth. We only hope you knew how much we loved you and appreciated you. May you rest in peace dear Father. A Rosary was recited for Dad on September 14, 2012 at Brown-Page Mortuary with a funeral Mass of the Resurrection being celebrated on Saturday, September 15, 2012 Immaculate Conception Church with Father Richard Tule officiating. Interment at a later date. Arrangements by Brown-Page Mortuary, 364-3434. |