Arthur V. Flores

1918 - 2019

OCTOBER 5, 1918 - JANUARY 1, 2019

Arthur passed away surrounded by loved ones at midnight on January 1, 2019 at Mesilla Valley Hospice. Arthur V. Flores was born October 5, 1918 in Deming. He was the third child of Epigmenio and Suzanna Flores. And Great Grandson of Jose Maria Flores who was born in 1818 and was an original Land Grant owner in Dona Ana County. Arthur was preceded in death by his wife Josephine Flores, his parents Epigmenio and Suzanna Flores, his brothers Edward, David, and Benjamin, and his sisters Ester, Abigail, Helen, and Sarah.
Arthur is survived by his children: David and Debbie Flores Lakewood, CO., Lorenzo Flores, Las Cruces, Teresa and William O'Donnell, Centennial, CO., Joseph and Mary Flores Las Cruces, Paul and Dorothy Flores Rio Rancho, Ernest and Cristina Flores, Portland, OR, and his sister, Rebeca Garcia, Alamogordo. He is also survived by his 18 Grandchildren, 28 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Grandchild, and numerous Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.
In 1936, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps Bureau of Reclamation Rio Grande Project as a Stone Mason, helping to build the Picacho Arroyo Check Dam No. 2.
After Pearl Harbor, Arthur joined the U.S. Navy 1942-45, and was sent to San Diego for Boot Camp. He then attended Naval Service School in Chicago, Illinois for Aviation Metalsmith because of his intelligence quotient of 162. While attending school, a picture of him welding appeared on the front page of The Chicago Sun. Arthur later taught aircraft repair while stationed at the Pensacola Florida Naval Air Station. While stationed in Pensacola, Florida, Arthur married Josephine Archuleta in Santa Rita, New Mexico, in 1944. He was honorably discharged in San Diego, California in 1945.
Arthur then returned to Grant County and went to work for Chino Mines Kennecott Copper Corporation as a truck driver, skip operator, and switch tender before retiring in March 1975 as a remote signal brakeman for a total of 32 years.

In February 1948, Arthur became the first vice president of Local 980 of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, and was later elected as President of Local 890, 1970-1972.

During his tenure, he wrote about the inequalities and discrimination against Mexican American miners in Grant County, these were printed and made available to the miner's families. Arthur was active in the union during the Empire Zinc strike (1950-52) which is dramatized in the blacklisted film, Salt of the Earth. The blacklisted film was denounced as Communist propaganda because of its social, as well as feminist, message since the miners' wives took over the picket line for seven months when a court injunction prevented the miners from picketing. Arthur also served on negotiations for the first insurance and pension plans for the Mexican American workers.

The book by Ellen R. Baker, "On Strike and On Film," features Arthur's wife, Josephine, on its cover holding her picket sign. You can view videos with Arthur discussing his involvement with the union and the strike, at The Salt of the Earth Recovery Project website at: https://saltoftheearthrecoveryproject.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/art-flores/

Arthur also knew and worked with Cesar E. Chaves of the United Farm Workers and received a letter from him, written August 30, 1972, thanking him for his help and support.

Arthur continued to serve the community and was elected Justice of the Peace Pct. 21 in Grant County on November 14, 1960. Governor David F. Cargo appointed Arthur as Colonel Aide-De-Camp in 1970. Then again in 1973, Governor Bruce King also conferred the Honor of Colonel, Aide-de-Camp to Arthur. He was also appointed as a Special Deputy on February 27, 1973 by Grant County's Sheriff Steve Aguirre and appointed Honorary Deputy Sheriff by Grant County Sheriff Richard Ingram in 1975. In 1976, New Mexico Governor Jerry Apodaca appointed Arthur to the Title XX of the Social Security Act District V Regional Planning Council.

From 1980 to 1983 Arthur and Josephine lived in Denver, CO, where Arthur worked for the Internal Revenue Service, as a Taxpayer Service Represetative.

In the 1980s, they moved to Rio Rancho. He served as Treasurer for, El Concilio Cultural, in 1988. Arthur later served as the AARP District Director for District II. Arthur and Josephine were recognized and given an "Outstanding and Exceptional Accomplishment" award by the Legislature of the State of New Mexico. Later, Arthur was also recognized for Outstanding Service in 1995 by Sandoval County.

In 2017 on his 99th Birthday, Sheriff Enrique "Kiki" Vigil confirmed Arthur as an Honorary Special Deputy Sheriff of the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office. On his 100th Birthday in 2018, Mayor Ken Miyagishima and the City Council of Las Cruces, proclaimed Saturday, October 6, 2018, as "Arthur V. Flores Day" and he also received the "Key to The City."

In 2017 and 2018, at the annual CARE Recognition Day, and at the annual Veterans Day Parade, he was honored and recognized as the Oldest WWII Veteran in Dona Ana County.

On October 10, 2018, Sons Lorenzo and Ernest presented Arthur's story and the Flores Family history to the Dona Ana Genealogical Society.

Up to the day of his death, Arthur was the President of "Juntos En La Union." Juntos En la Union was formed for the Historical preservation of the Mine Mill and Smelter Workers Local 890, Union Hall and headquarters located in Bayard, NM.

On January 1, 2019, the Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham presented Arthur's family with one final declaration acknowledging Arthur's lifelong service and achievements with the honorary title of Colonel, Aide-de-Camp.

He lived 100 years always learning, serving, sharing history, and creating art.

A memorial and celebration of his life will be announced by the family at a later date.

Service arrangements has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care". For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com