Francisco Flores, Jr.

Francisco J. Flores, Jr. (Paco) passed away on December 14, 2019 in Golden, Colorado. Paco was born on August 22, 1943 in Laredo, Texas to Francisco J. Flores and Ernestina Saldana Flores, both of whom predeceased him. On June 30, 2002, he was united in marriage with Josephine V. Marrufo (Jo), who also predeceased him in 2015.

Paco was educated at Ursuline Academy and St. Joseph's Academy in Laredo, where he formed many close life-long friendships that continued until his passing. Paco graduated from St. Joseph's in 1961. While at St. Joseph's, Paco played high school football and was the manager for the basketball team. After graduation, Paco attended Laredo Junior College for one year. He graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1964 and received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967. Paco was one of very few Mexican-Americans attending the Law School in that era. Since graduating from UT in 1964, Paco was a proud life member of the Texas Exes and a faithful supporter of the Law School. Paco was a member of the State Bar of Texas for 52 years and a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of Colorado.

Upon graduation from UT Law, Paco returned to Laredo to practice law with his father, Francisco J. Flores. He was also a staff attorney for the Laredo Legal Aid Society until he joined the Dallas District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a staff attorney. While with the EEOC, Paco served as the Director, Field Management Programs West in Washington, D.C. and as District Director of both the Phoenix and Denver offices. In 2003, Paco retired as the Director of EEOC's Denver District after 32 years of Federal service. Paco was a member of the Senior Executive Service, the highest career position in the Federal Government. He was involved in many significant discrimination cases and received numerous recognitions during his tenure.

Paco's love of the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, was born early in his life, mostly while at ancestral ranches in Zapata and Jim Hogg Counties, Texas. He was a proficient horseman and became part of a Charro group, participating in many charreadas. He continued his love of hunting when he moved to Colorado, where he went with friends annually to go elk, antelope and goose hunting. He took up skiing as well, always looking forward to the next ski season. He and brothers, Miguel and Joe, were always up to the challenge of some great outdoor expeditions, including white water rafting the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park with cousins, Miguel, Tony and Carlos Saldana, who were like brothers to him. Paco enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska with relatives and former high school classmates over many years, until as late as 2018. His passion after retirement was playing golf as a member of the Metro Seniors Golf Club and the Overland Park Seniors Golf Club. He made many friends while golfing with these groups over many years. He enjoyed smoking cigars, whether on the golf course or with friends at a local cigar shop, as well as with his brothers.

Paco loved politics and was active in local and State Democratic politics in Jefferson County, Colorado, especially the Jefferson County Democratic Latino Initiative. In spite of his illness he spent hours canvassing neighborhoods for the 2018 election. He was a delegate to many state and national Democratic Party conventions. Paco was proud of his Hispanic heritage and researched family genealogy extensively. He was a member of the Mile High Chapter of the GI Forum in Denver, and throughout his career championed Latino causes. After retirement, Paco and wife, Jo, enjoyed traveling in his motorhome, going to GI Forum dances, listening to music, especially Mexican classics and Jazz, and golfing with brother, Miguel. Paco loved and was devoted to his family, who loved him dearly and will miss him and his gentle spirit greatly.

Paco was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Esther Sanchez, brothers-in-law Charles Bradley (Brad) Jackson and Judge Dan R. Beck, his maternal and paternal grandparents, Antonia Garcia and Miguel Saldana and Adela Gutierrez and Ernesto M. Flores, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Survivors include siblings Maria Teresa F. Cavazos (Jesus) of Monterrey, Mexico, Jose F. Flores (Elsa) of Laredo, Miguel I. Flores (Barbara) of Lakewood, Colorado, Tina F. Jackson of Laredo, Angie Flores Beck of La Grange, Texas, Adela I. Flores of San Antonio, Texas, Maria Luisa (Lulu) Flores (Scott Hendler) of Austin, Texas, brother-in-law, Homero R. Sanchez, Jr. MD of Laredo, 18 nieces and nephews, 20 great-nieces and nephews and 24 first cousins, all of whom were part of his close-knit extended family. Also surviving are Josephine's children Mary Ellen McFarlane, Rosanne Harris (Curt), Mark Marrufo (Melissa) and Michelle Tiscareno (Guadalupe) and Josephine's 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held in the following months in Laredo, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Education Scholarship Fund GI Forum, Mile High Chapter, 1717 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80204 or Casa De Paz Colorado, P. O. Box 111351, Aurora, CO 80042 (casadepazcolorado.org) or a charity of one's choice.Franci