Arnold Flores

Arnold Flores, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend entered into Eternal Life with our Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, January 7, 2013 at the age of 76 from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Born October 31, 1936 in Rio Grande City, Texas; he was preceded in death by his parents Alejandro H. and Mariana Mercado Saenz Flores, and brother, Anselmo he is survived by his wife, Gloria Santoy Flores of 52 years; sons, Arnold Rocky Flores (Catherine) and Manuel T. Santoy III (Martha); grandchildren, Rocky II, Eric (Kristin), Anthony (Cassandra), Emily Chapa (Lorenzo), Samantha, Brianna, Kelsey, and Manuel IV; great grandchildren, Eric Jr., Melody Rae, and Davion, brothers, Alex (Irma), Alfredo, Armando (Josie), numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Arnold was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, community and civil rights leader, political activist, labor organizer, and business entrepreneur that never forgot his humble beginnings. He was Co-Owner and Senior Vice President, National Housing Management Corporation, President/CEO, AF Enterprises, Presidential Appointee—Special Assistant to the U.S. Commissioner of Immigration, Presidential Appointee—National Association Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), Founder/Former Chairman, Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project, Founder/Former Board Member, Southwest Voter Registration and Research Institute, Founder/Vice President, Mexican American Unity Council (MAUC), Founder Federation for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (FAMA), Founder/Vice President, Southwest Boxing Coaches Association (South Texas), Founder/Vice President, Bilingual Bicultural Coalition on Mass Media, Founding Board, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, AFL-CIO, Founding Board, National Council of La Raza, Former National Board Member, Voter Education Project (VEP), Former Board Member, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), Former Texas State Director, Service Employees International Union, and Founder/Chairman, San Antonio Chicano Organizers (SACO), a precursor for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). These pioneering initiatives not only impacted the lives of Hispanics throughout our nation when founded, but continue to do so even today and will for centuries to come.

Political Organizing Activities: Presidential Campaigns; 1992 State Coordinator, Viva Clinton Club, Election Coordinator; Carter-Mondale Re-Election, Edward “Ted” Kennedy, and George McGovern; Governor Ann Richards, Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, Mayor Lila Cockrell, Secretary Henry Cisneros Mayoral Election, and several other county, city, state, and national elections.

Honors: Who’s Who in Unions of America and recipient of the prestigious OHTLI Award; awarded to Non-Mexican citizens who have advanced the cause of Mexican immigrants in businesses, immigration, education, and labor within the United States. Some previous OHTLI award recipients are Congressman Edward Royball, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, Edward James Olmos (actor), and Christina Ochoa (First Hispanic Astronaut).

Prayer and Funeral Services:

Officiating Minister - Reverend Dino “BP” Espinoza, Superintendent of the Texas Gulf Hispanic

District

Thursday, 17 January 2013; visitation begins at 5:00 p.m., with Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road.

Friday, 18 January 2013; visitation begins at 11:00 a.m., with Funeral Service at 12:00 Noon, Shammah A\G Church, 1310 Texas Avenue.

Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.