Ancil E. Flores III

Born on April 8, 1954, in Seymour, Texas, Ancil grew up in west Texas. He was a graduate of Cotton Center High School and South Plains College. Ancil worked for Hanover Shoes and then Furr’s Grocery Warehouse in Lubbock, TX. Ancil later made his home in Plano, Texas, where he continued a life rooted in family, friendship, and laughter.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Ancil and Celia Flores, and sister Marta Flores.

Ancil is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda Aparicio-Flores, and his children: Marian Aparicio-Rico and husband, Marcus Rico; Corena Salazar and husband, John Salazar; April Hernandez and husband, Pedro Anguiano; Marcella Flores; and Valentin Hernandez lll. His cherished grandchildren: Vincent Gonzales IV; Kelsey Contreras and husband Carlos Contreras; Alisa Lerma and husband Sam Lerma; Cynthia Gonzales; Pedro Anguiano Jr; Noel Salazar; Bryanna Gonzales; Ignacio Gonzales; Adan Salazar; Nati Munoz; Katarina Munoz; Madeline Anguiano; Kate Salazar; and Sophia Hernandez. His two newest blessings, his rambunctious and precious great-grandchildren, Carlos “Mannytello” Contreras Jr, and Elliana Contreras. His siblings: Edward Flores and wife Margaret Flores; Anita Chavez and husband Ernest Chavez; Rebecca Martinez; Joe Flores and wife Becky Flores; and Margaret Benton and husband John Benton. His treasured nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

To know Ancil was to know a man whose greatest pride and joy was his family. Ancil adored Yolanda. There was rarely a time you would see one without the other. Ancil cherished the relationships he had with each of his children. He was always ready to listen, to lend a helping hand, and to provide guidance. Of all the roles he held in life, his favorite was being “Popo.” Popo loved to spoil his grandchildren and great grandchildren and cherished every minute he spent with them. Popo traveled near and far to attend countless T-ball, baseball, softball and football games, track and cross country meets, cheerleading competitions, and FFA shows. He was always there with Grandma, a big smile on his face, immense pride in his eyes, and his seat cushion ready to cheer.

Ancil loved to support the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (as long as they weren’t playing the Texas Longhorns). He was known for his barbecue (most notably his chicken legs, ribs, and pork steak), unforgettable stories, and his competitive spirit at the pool table, horseshoe pit, and corn hole board. If you couldn’t find him at home or at a family event, chances are he was at Austin Avenue (“AA”) surrounded by friends, playing a few games of pool, and enjoying a cold one. And if you knew Ancil, you know there was only one beer for him, Budweiser; everything else was just water.

Ancil treasured the time he spent with his family and friends, every opportunity to cook at the backyard barbecue, and every moment spent watching each new generation learn and grow. He taught those around him the importance of family, hard work, and finding joy in life’s simple moments.

Though our hearts are broken, we are forever grateful for the years we shared with him. His memory will live on in every family gathering, football game, backyard barbecue, game of pool, and story told in his honor.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.