Jose Ochoa FLores

Jose Ochoa Flores, 101, passed away in his sleep on June 27, 2015 in his Mesa, AZ home. Jose was the oldest and last surviving member of the Ochoa family consisting of six brothers and one sister. Jose was born in Michoacan, Mexico, in 1913. Jose lived too far to attend school, so his godfather taught him to read and write. Jose also learned to work in the fields and even starred in a Mexican movie as a police officer. In 1944, Jose and his brother attained work orders and crossed the border to work in the fields of the United States. The brothers quickly learned to speak English and both wanted to become contributing members to the state of California. Jose’s strong work ethic eventually won him a job on the railroads of the California. During this time, Jose met and married Delfina Limones in 1946. In 1948, they started a family with daughter, Marcella; son, Rene, was born in 1950. In 1956, Jose purchased the family home in downtown Los Angeles. In 1963, Jose invested in a pool hall on the corner of Florence and Broadway. Because of Jose’s well-respected reputation in the community, Joe’s Pool Room was the only business in its block, to remain untouched by the Watts Riots of 1965. Jose also purchased two more homes and eventually replaced the pool hall property with three apartment buildings. Jose continued to be in good health and drove well into his late 80’s. A friendly traffic officer commended Jose for his contributions to the community but advised Jose to work toward his U.S. citizenship. Jose attended the classes and was awarded his U.S. citizenship at the age of 87. At his family celebration and always a joker, Jose pulled out his class workbook and schooled everyone on the contributions of Abraham Lincoln! Jose greatly admired Lincoln’s self-made contributions to our society.Jose continued to own his California properties until 2004, when he sold everything and moved to Mesa, AZ, to be close to his daughter and grandchildren. In his 90’s and showing no signs of slowing down, Jose made two more home purchases in Arizona--from the comfort of his scooter, which he called his scootie.Jose believed his birthday was March 11, 1916--as his U.S. work orders dictated. Approximately five years ago, his daughter researched his authentic, Mexican birth certificate and realized his actual birthday was December 18, 1913. In December 2013, Jose celebrated his 100th birthday with a backyard party, complete with a family photo session and a mariachi. He happily lived out his last days in his home, surrounded by his wife, his daughter & son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the viewing and dedicatory prayer on July 3, 2015. Viewing and dedicatory prayer: 8 am at Mariposa Gardens, 400 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85206Family memorial: 9:30am at LDS Preston Ward Building, 6555 E. Preston St. Mesa, AZ 85215