Joseph Michael Flores
Aug. 27th,1946 - Dec. 7th, 2017
Resident of Watsonville
At the age of 71, Joe Flores passed away the morning of Thursday, December 7. He joined his predeceased parents, Mauro and Mary; and sisters Lisa Tagami and Priscilla Crosby. He went peacefully with his family by his side at his mother-in-law's (Julie Cecil) home in Watsonville. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Skeeter; daughter, Summer Nelson (Zack); son, Michael (Katie); two granddaughters, Ava and Taylor Nelson; and dog, Hotrod. Joe was a loving husband, a proud father, and a generous, kind friend to many.
Joe was born and raised in Watsonville and graduated from Watsonville High. Joe was a Vietnam Army veteran with six years of service and upon his return worked as an electrician for PG&E, finally retiring after 30 years as a substation electrician out of Moss Landing. He served many seasons as a coach for Summer and Michael's sports teams as they grew up, and will always be remembered as the LOUDEST fan in the crowd at every game he attended.
He loved fishing, street rods, hunting ground squirrels for local farmers, KPIG, Giants baseball, and was an original 49er faithful. One of his happiest places was in Freedom CA at his brother in law Dick Cecil's ranch. More than anything, he loved his family and friends, and we loved him. We'll remember and miss him always.
A celebration of life will take place Jan. 12, 11:00AM at the V.F.W. Hall: 1960 Freedom Blvd. Watsonville, CA, 95076. Please in lieu of flowers consider a donation in Joe's memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz. www.hospicesantacruz.org/donate
View the online memorial for Joseph Michael Flores
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jan. 5, 2018
Ken Brownell
Joe and I lived two houses apart (Bill McGarvey, the chemistry teacher lived between us) on Carolyn Court for many years. Larry Bliske, the Grant boys, John Kusanovich, Don Ditlevsen, Dan Murphy, John Toledo lived on the cul de sac. Jim Popek, Jim Mckenzie lived on the next block. At ages 8-10 we played Pee Wee softball in the mornings, swam in the high school pool in the afternoons, and played Little League baseball in the evenings. It seemed we had pick up games on the street most every night playing under the light of the single street light. We broke a lot of windows. We also spent a lot of time at the "creek", not far away, swimming, building "forts", shooting lizards with BB guns (didn't kill them our guns were not very powerful), riding our bikes down the side of the levee, and playing more baseball at the high school field. Joe and I were great buddies at that age and roamed around town on our bikes. We remained friends through high school. Over the years I would see him at reunions and when I visited my parents. He always had that big smile, a joke or two, and a warmth that was enjoyable. He was loud but fun. I tried to contact him for our 50th reunion but he never returned the several voice messages that I left for him. I heard that he was having health issues. I'm sorry to learn of his passing, I have many fond memories of our youthful adventures, he was a good guy. He will be missed.