Hector Flores

On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Lord decided that he needed a 16U girls fastpitch softball coach in heaven and he chose Hector Flores - taking him from the softball field where he was practicing with his girls and immediately placing him on the "ultimate field of dreams" where Hec is now teaching angels how to hit a ball so hard that it has backspin. Hector, 47, also known as Number 23, was a loving husband, father, son, brother, coach and friend. He passed away Sunday while on the field - leaving us the exact way he wanted to. Anyone whoever met him will never forget him. From his large build to his boisterous voice, if you didn't see him, you at least heard him. And if you never met, you have probably heard about him as he is as close to an El Paso softball legend as you can get. Anyone whoever saw him play has a story that usually begins with "I saw him hit a ball so hard one time that it"... cleared the mountain en El Barro field by Asarco, landed in the t-ball field at the Sportspark, hit the handball courts at Ascarate, hit a car parked in the parking lot of Chicos Tacos next to Hugo Meyer Field. And yes, it is true, he did hit the mountain across the creek and the street from the fields in Ruidoso. A 1984 graduate of Coronado High School and former college baseball player, Hector is the only player to be inducted into both the USSSA New Mexico and USSSA Texas Hall of Fame. Hector's most noted and first nationally-ranked team was the Spurs. In three years, when he turned 50, he was going to join the 50 and over Spurs team that recently won the World Tournament. Hector was a gentle giant, many would not like him as an opponent, but everyone wanted him on their side. As much as Hector loved baseball and softball, he loved his friends and his family even more. His children and wife were his true loves. As a son, Hector is "Pila's" baby boy whom she and Norma, his sister, spoiled on a daily basis. His brothers, Sal, Art and David, known as Yogi, Boo-Boo and Popeye, are his heroes. Hector talked about his brothers with unmatched pride. As good as he was on the field and off the field, to Hector, his brothers were better than him and he wanted to be just like them. He wanted to earn their respect and a Spurs softball shirt so he could stand with them on field. He did. As for his son, Hector "Chooch" Andres, big Hector could not wait for Chooch to surpass him. There was a lot for them to do and a lot of games for them to play. Chooch, Hector said, is "gonna be special." As for his wife, Esther, this was truly a match made on the softball field, which is where they met in 1988. They married in 1996. They will forever be inseparable and this love story will never end. This brings us to his daughter, Kasey, the current gleam in Hector's eyes. Hector never tired of talking softball with Kasey, who listened and learned. He wanted to see her play everyday, now he will. Hector's dreams are Kasey's dreams and those dreams will never die for this time Mighty Kasey will not strike out. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Martin Funeral Home, 3839 Montana. Vigil will be at 6:30 p.m., at Martin Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 12:30 p.m., Saturday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Hector was preceded in death by his father, Salvador Flores Sr.

.Published in El Paso Times from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29, 2014 Print | View Guest Book . Hector Flores

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