John James Flores

John James Flores, 75, peacefully passed away at his home in Redlands, California on July 20, 2024, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 31, 1949, to Rudy Flores and Frances Flores (Floriano) in San Bernardino, California. He was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. John lived an incredibly full life.

He came from a large and proud family. With his thirteen siblings, he was raised affectionately by his mother and grandfather. He spent his childhood in East Highland with his siblings and friends, boxing, riding his bike, swimming in rivers, and being a kid getting into trouble. He attended Redlands Junior High; however, he dropped out to help his mom earn money for the family. He worked odds and end jobs, with the most notable of them being at a packinghouse picking oranges. It was during this time that he gained a love for gardening, something for which he will fondly be remembered. He is remembered as a hard worker who woke up early in the morning to stylishly groom himself and listen to his “Oldies but Goodies” before racing his brothers to work.

John moved to Redlands with his family in his teen years where he subsequently met the love of his life, Virginia Ruiz. John and Virginia married on April 19, 1968. They had their first child four days later. They settled in Loma Linda where they went on to have five more children. Later on in 1985, they moved their family to Mentone where their love grew stronger, and family grew larger.

John’s heart was shattered when his beloved son, Johnny, was murdered in 1986. A piece of him died with his son. In 2000, he also lost his dear wife, Virgie. Our family takes solace in knowing the three of them are reunited—laughing, hugging, and crying.

Anyone who met John Flores was touched by his heart of gold and selflessness. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He cared for everyone. If you needed a warm meal or a bed to sleep in, the door was always open to his home where you could find rest and love. He was a true example of what it means to be graceful and humble. He never placed judgement and always showed respect no matter who you were or where you came from. He was always there to crack a joke, offer pearls of wisdom, or encourage you to pursue your dreams. As a natural comic, he will be remembered for pulling pranks on his grandchildren. John had a sweet tooth. Everyone will remember him snacking on a sweet, whether it was a five cent Butterfinger during his childhood, cinnamon rolls, sodas, or strawberries from his garden. He was passionate about his vegetable and rose gardens—he had a thumb so green, he could make the desert bloom with roses. We are thankful for the limitless love, laughs, wisdom, and hospitality we were given by John.

John is survived by his five children: Simon Flores, Virginia Dominguez (Chris), Lisa Flores, Mikki Benz, and Peter Flores (Mary); siblings: Frances Vildosola, Peter Flores, Ruby Flores, Arthur Larriba, Phillip “Kookie” Larriba, and Marylou “Stuffy” Larriba; twenty-nine grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; his sidekick German Shepherd, Jaz; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family all over the state of California and beyond. John was loved immensely and considered family by many—he was everyone’s brother, cousin, grandpa, uncle, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virgie; parents; grandfather, Simon Floriano; son, John James Flores Jr.; siblings: Rudy, Freddy, Ralph, Frank “Barney”, Raymond, Louie “Topo”, and Hopie; grandchildren: Adriana, Alyssa, and Mark Anthony; and great-grandson, Baby Sean. 

Our family is very grateful for the lives that John has touched. In our eyes, he was the most generous, compassionate, funny, honest, good-hearted, loving man around. We would like to extend a most sincere thank you to all who kept him company in his final days, to those who prayed for his strength and healing during his battle with cancer, and to everyone who contributed to laying him down for his final rest.

A viewing will be held from 4-8 p.m. on August 22nd at Emerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel. The funeral service is on August 23rd at 10 a.m. at Emerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel, followed by the burial at 1 p.m. at Hillside Memorial Park. All are welcome to join in the remembrance of John Flores.