Obituary of Robert Salas Flores

Robert "Bob" Salas Flores, born April 27, 1927, to Manuel and Rosa Flores of Dexter, New Mexico, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on June 23, 2015. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 8, at 11:00 a.m. at his beloved San Mateo Catholic Church, where he volunteered for many years. Father Bob Strittmatter will officiate, and a luncheon will follow at the San Mateo Hall, 3316 Lovell Avenue, Ft. Worth, TX. Growing up in Hagerman, New Mexico, he joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and served in WWII. After working in the U.S. Borax potash mines in Carlsbad, New Mexico for 20 years, he moved to Ft. Worth to work at General Dynamics, where he designed a tool that was patented. He then started his own business in Benbrook, Texas, opening a new Texaco station where he gained many loyal customers as a skilled, self-taught mechanic. He later returned to General Dynamics where he retired in 1987. He was married for 68 years to Julia Guevara Flores and was her guiding light for the last 20 years while Alzheimer's took its toll on her. He was preceded in death by his son William Ray Flores in 1980, who was awarded the Coast Guard Medal of Honor. He is survived by his wife Julia; daughters Carolyn Ahlstrom and Connie Flores (Doug Tucker) from the Seattle area; his sons Sam (Ceil), Tom, Richard (Courtney), and Larry from Ft. Worth; and his sister Christine Lathrop from Roswell, New Mexico. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Loved and respected by many, our beloved Patriarch will be remembered and sorely missed. The Flores family extends their gratitude to the nursing staff at Agape, Brightstar, and Vitas Hospice for their exceptional caregiving and compassion. Memorial donations may be made to San Mateo Church. Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home Fort Worth, 817-292-2250