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Flores -- Ruben Flores, age 84, lifetime resident of Las Cruces left his dwelling place on earth and entered eternal life to be with his heavenly Father, Saturday, April 13, 2002 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born August 23, 1917 to Julian Flores and Anita Mariana Flores. From 1939 to 1941, Ruben spent time as a US Merchant Marine on the U.S.S. American Seaman and the U.S.S. America. On April 3, 1941, he was inducted into the United States Army and assigned to Clark's Airfield in the Philippine Islands. During his service, Staff Sergeant Ruben Flores was a prisoner of war from April 9, 1942 to August 15, 1945. He was also a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He was honorably discharged from service on March 14, 1946, and was decorated with the Bronze Star for Service, Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Philippine Independence Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Distinguished Unit Emblem with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge and a World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Flores was very active in his community where he was a member of the Las Cruces Chapter of the Bataan Veterans Organization, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3242 and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the St. Genevieve's Catholic Church and a member of the Sunshine Boys Breakfast Club. Survivors include one son, Art Flores and wife, Lourdes of Loving, NM; three daughters, Carmelina and Freda Claudeen Flores both of Las Cruces, Sandra Christine Jacquez Flores of Albuquerque; three brothers, Robert F. Estrada and wife, Bertha and their daughter, Rachel, Florencio"Lencho" Montoya all of Las Cruces, Jose G. Flores and wife, Angelita of Dona Ana; four sisters, Celia Montes of Nampa, Idaho, Manuela Mestas of Sacramento, CA, Adelina Flores of Albuquerque and Josefina Montoya of Las Cruces. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Michelle Fyfe, Michael, Jasmine, Danielle and Amanda Flores, Annette Mendoza and Pamela Vasquez two great-granddaughters, Ruby Fyfe and Samantha Flores. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Manuela Flores; two brothers, Guadalupe Flores and Bessie Montoya. Visitation for Mr. Flores was held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2002 in Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina where the Prayer Vigil is scheduled to begin 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be offered Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the same church with the Most Reverend Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, Celebrant. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho with military honors accorded. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Mike Ortega, Casimiro Gonzales, Jesus Hernandez, Jim Fyfe, Michael and Manny Flores. Honorary Bearers will be Ben Rios, Jack Aguirre, Ventura and Maria Inez Garcia, Ex-POW (Bataan) Survivors, Knights of Columbus, Las Cruces Chapter and Women's Auxiliary, VFW Post #3242 and Women's Auxiliary, DAV Chapter 10, Hector Apodaca, David Lujan, Eli Gipson, Jack Valencia Sr., Joe Jacquez and Blas Molina. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz road, Las Cruces, 527-2222.
        Published on: Wed April 17, 2002