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Victor Flores, 81, passed away June 13, 2007 at the Guadalupe County General Hospital after a sudden illness. He was born June 13, 1926 in Puerto de Luna to the home of Cipriano Flores and the former Paublita Montoya. He was reared and attended grade school in Puerto de Luna and high school in Santa Rosa. He married Otilia Garcia on December 22, 1952 in Vaughn at Saint Mary's Catholic Church. He worked construction in Arizona and California for several years. After returning to New Mexico he worked for the New Mexico Game and Fish Department until his retirement in 1985. He then made his home in Puerto de Luna, next to where he grew up. He enjoyed ranching and farming in the Puerto de Luna valley. He was well known for his hard work ethic and had many friends throughout the county. He was very active in the Puerto de Luna Senior Citizens Center and could be seen there everyday for lunch and then playing games with his friends afterwards. He was a lifelong member of the Nuestra Senora de Refugio Catholic Church in Puerto de Luna and for the last several years enjoyed helping organize and coordinate the annual Puerto de Luna church fiestas which are held annually in July. Last year he was the Grand Marshall for the Fiesta Parade in Puerto de Luna. Many people will remember that he would like to ride on his horse in parades. He was very proud to participate in homecoming parades, church fiesta parades, Santa Rosa Days parades, as well as other parades which were held in the area. For many years queen candidates used to borrow his pink convertible car for riding in parades. That also brought much joy to him. He was a life-long Republican and was elected to several county offices. He was on the school board that opened the new Santa Rosa High School for the 1965-66 school year. He also served as Guadalupe County Commissioner. He had the reputation of being one of the few Republicans to be able to win elections in a very strong Democratic County. He became a Democrat in 2000 to be able to help his son-in-law, Jimmy Moncayo in the primary election for Magistrate Judge. He even convinced his brother, Benny, to become a Democrat. Moncayo won and has been Guadalupe County Magistrate Judge since then. He was preceded in death by his parents; and five sisters and three brothers: Beatriz Salazar, Amalia Dodge, Leontina Chavez, Adela Espinoza, Josefina Flores, Manuela Flores, Alberto Flores, Honorato Flores, and Benny Flores. Survivors include his wife, Otilia of the family home; a son, Arnold (Elaine) Flores of Rio Rancho and Eileen (Jimmy) Moncayo of the family compound in Puerto de Luna; his grandchildren, Victoria and Virginia Flores, Brandon and Julian Flores, Brittney, Felicia and James,Jr. Moncayo, Renee, Steven, Megan, and Lauren. He is also survived by one sister, Arcelia Abeyta of Santa Rosa; and one brother, Filomeno (Erlinda) Flores. He is also survived by a niece who was raised as a sister, Margie Abeyta of Santa Rosa. Also surviving are his brothers- and sisters-in-law; Ted Garcia and wife, Ramona, Andy Garcia and wife, Carmen, all of San Diego, CA, Larry Garcia and wife, June of Ruidoso, Lee Garcia and wife, Tina of Vaughn, Luperto Garcia of Alamogordo, Richard Garcia of Vaughn and Susie Baca, also of Vaughn; as well as numerous nieces, nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary Services will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. from Nuestra Senora De Refugio Church in Puerto De Luna. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. also from Nuestra Senora De Refugio with Father Gerald Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Nuestra Senora De Refugio Cemetery also in Puerto De Luna. Serving as pallbearers will be Romie Maestas, Johnny Marquez, George Ortega, Ramon Gallegos, Lalo Padilla, Merle Guinn and Frank Madrid. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all his friends from the Puerto De Luna Senior Citizens Center. All Services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. www.chavezfuneralhom.com
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