Gregorio Isidro Flores (GI) answered the Lord’s final roll call on November 29, 2022 at the age of 85. He was born November 7, 1937 in Lockhart, Texas, to Gregorio M Flores and Juanita Esparza Flores. He was raised in the San Marcos and San Antonio areas and graduated from Fox Tech in 1956. He went to work as a Civilian Air Technician for the Air National Guard (USAF) retiring after 38 years, 9 months, 2 weeks of total service with the rank grade of Senior Master Sergeant. He was extremely proud to have graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy of Knoxville, TN in 1975 and Senior NCO Academy in Alabama in 1984. He was superintendent of Munitions/ Explosives Storage Area at Kelly AFB when he retired.
SMSGT Flores served his community with involvement as Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor and Kelly NCO Club Advisory Board while assigned to the 149th Tactical Fighter Group of San Antonio. Shortly after retirement, he spent many years volunteering as a Docent for the Institute of Texan Cultures, where he could share his love of Native American and Mexican American History with thousands of San Antonio visitors. Upon retirement, he was also able to volunteer as a member of the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Service Detachment (MSD) for over 4,300 hours in 16 years. The MSD assures our nation’s veterans receive a fitting memorial tribute. He received recognition in 2007 for 20,000 military honors rendered.
He held membership and was Past Master of Albert Pike Masonic Lodge #1169. He was a member of The Scottish Rite and York Rite Masonic Bodies. He was a member of the Alzafar Shrine since February 24, 1979. This organization supports the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is committed to providing free care and accommodations for children with specialized needs. He was passionate about his service to the Shrine. He was a part of more Shrine units than can be named, but currently was an active member of Desert Knights, Alzafar Patrol and Alzafar Honor Guard. In addition to being named Alzafar Chaplain for many years, his greatest achievement was his election to Potentate for the Alzafar Shrine Temple in 2011.This is the highest honor of the temple and allowed him to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to the organization in his leadership year.
Having served his country and community with integrity and pride, he will be missed by many relatives and friends. His greatest achievement above all else was his family. He is survived by the love of his life, wife, partner in crime, and mother of his children Margie Flores. His final letter said he loved her before they even dated and we all know that to be true. His eldest daughter, Regina Beseth married his best friend’s son, Brad Beseth, which made him so proud. Rachel Jent lived her dad’s dream by attending the University of Texas at Austin and later married John Jent. His grandchildren Aiden Beseth, Elon Jent, Abby Jent, Hannah Beseth Valdez and Hunter Beseth completed the entire picture and made his heart whole. He loved them fiercely and they loved him more than words can say.
Being the last male in his Flores lineage, GI wished to end his obituary with this: “Fui lo que eres, seras lo que soy.” (“I was what you are, you will be what I am”)
Visitation will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78238 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. to 9: 00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M.
The funeral procession will depart Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 12:30 P.M. for a Funeral mass at 1:00 P.M. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1819 Nevada Street, San Antonio, Texas 78203
Interment will at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, with Military Honors and Masonic Services.
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