Jose Flores

Jose Luis “Joby” Flores

No one enjoyed life more than Jose Luis “Joby” Flores.

He was first a great son, a great brother, a lovable uncle, great husband, a great father, an awesome grandfather, and the biggest fan of life.

Joby Flores, age 65, of Monahans went to his celestial home above on the morning of December 4, at his residence.

He was born in Monahans, on September 9, 1954, to the parental union of Luis G. and Celia Flores, née Oyerbides.

Shortly after his birth, the family moved to San Antonio, where Joby began attending public school. It was during his formative years where his love of sports developed as he began to excel at the family’s past time, baseball.

Joby graduated from Harlandale High School in San Antonio in 1974.  It was in his high school years that he met the love of his life, Norma Esquivel.

It took him awhile to convince her, but he eventually managed to get a date.  The two dated for a little over a year and married in 1975. It proved to be a marriage that would stand the test of time.

They were blessed awhile later with a son, Joe Flores. A few years later, a second child, Steven Flores, was born to the union.

Work was something Joby never shied away from during his life.  He was never afraid to learn something new. Joby provided for his young family, by working as a dispatcher for the H.E.B. Distribution Center in San Antonio in the late 1970s until the oil and natural gas industry lured him and his family to West Texas, returning him to the place of his birth in 1982.

He worked in various capacities as a field operator and eventually a cryogenic gas plant operator beginning with Mobil Oil Company in 1992 and most recently with Energy Transfer, working at the Halley Plant, north of town since 2010.

Life met no truer competitor than Joby.  Growing up around sports helped make him fearless, at not only on the baseball or softball field, but in all facets of life.  Whatever life threw at him, Joby entered the ring ready to compete despite whatever odds he may have been up against.  It was something that fueled his play throughout the baseball diamonds in San Antonio, playing up in age groups due to his skill level.

He later transitioned that to the highly competitive, slo-pitch softball leagues in San Antonio and later in West Texas. He played outfield, first base and later established himself as a premier pitcher known for his “12-foot” arc.

That competitive spirit was something he later transitioned into coaching youth sports, starting in the Karl Ritchey Basketball League and eventually the local Pony League.

It was at the Pony League level where he passed on the love of the game to the next generation of players guiding several teams to the State Tournament, and eventually winning a State Championship. The players he coached were prepared with the basic fundamentals of the sport by the time they reached the high school level.

He touched the lives of many youth by coaching them in skills that would help prepare them for lives off of the field.  Joby continued coaching even when he no longer had any kids of his own playing.

A close second to the love he had for his wife, children, grandchildren and family, was his love for the Monahans Loboes.  He took pride in the physical nature of his hometown team because they exhibited the same qualities by which he took on life.

Joby took pride in how they competed against teams regardless of the odds they were facing.  Everyone that wore the uniform or, as he would say “put on that helmet” knew who Joby was, as he would run into them all over town and greet them in special ways as he did everyone he met on a daily basis.

Joby is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Hector “Tito” Flores, and brother-in-law, Paul Herrera.

Joby is survived by his wife, Norma Flores, his children, Joe Flores and wife Lana of Greenwood, and Steven Flores of Odessa, four grandchildren, Nathan Flores, Hanna Flores and Madison Flores of Greenwood and Jordan Melendez of Odessa. He also had three siblings, Yolanda Woods and husband Skip of Monahans, Angel Flores and wife Sandra of Alice, and Armando Flores of Monahans, and many nephews, nieces, relatives and loved ones.

Pallbearers were Andrew Arreguy, Gracien Arreguy, Sammy Briones, Mickey Mitchell, Mickey Owens, David Rodriguez, Eli Payan, Alfonso Pedroza, Roy Porras and Stacy Wall.

Viewing will be at Harkey Funeral Home in Monahans this Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Services will be held at the Ward County Event Center at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Harkey Funeral Home.

The family of Joby Flores would like to extend their sincere thanks to Larry Jasso, Jr, of Crossroads Fellowship, Pastor Sheldon Riley, Jordan Riley, and Mike Gonzalez of Elevate Church in Midland, Texas, and Stephanie Diane Pena, family, friends and the community of Monahans and those throughout the state and country who have kept them in their thoughts and prayers, along with those who have visited them at the home or brought food during their time of need.

Visit our website harkeyfunerals.com to sign the guestbook or leave a personal note for the family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Harkey Funeral Home.