Robert Daniel Flores, Jr., “Bobby,” went home to be with our Lord at the age of 61 on Thursday, June 23, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer. He was a musical prodigy, a lover of nature, a loyal American, a believer in Christ, a devoted family man, and a good friend to many. He is loved passionately by all who knew him, and he will be missed tremendously.
Bobby was born on June 18, 1961 in San Antonio, TX to parents Robert Daniel Flores, Sr. and Mary Jane (Trevino) Flores. He was married on December 28, 1979 to his loving wife, Annette (Stokes) Flores. Together, they raised three children: April Alethia, Robert Daniel, III, and Joshua James.
Bobby was introduced to music at a very young age, picking out harmonies on his father’s old accordion at two or three. By the age of 7, one year after Bobby broke his father’s guitar by turning it on its side and riding it like a horse, Bobby mastered the guitar. There was a time when his prized Ventura 12-string acoustic guitar was taller than him. With his ear for music and perfect pitch, Bobby could play any instrument put in front of him – not just well, but brilliantly. Indeed, shortly after being asked to work with Bobby, both his guitar and violin instructors had to report that there was nothing more they could teach him.
Bobby started his singing career as a child, performing in a duo with his mother, and by age 13, started performing with his own band at fairs and festivals. One of the family’s favorite memories is the Big Red Commercial Bobby did in the ‘70s where he sang the song he had written in his red country-western suit.
While still in school, Bobby started performing with Ray Price whenever possible, which led to a lifelong standing invitation for Bobby to perform in Ray’s band, which he did for decades. At 19, Bobby joined the band of Texas legend Johnny Bush, whom he also continued to perform with over the years. In his lifetime, Bobby led several bands, including The Boiz, Gone City, Angel Fire (with brother Greg and sister Sandra), and Bobby Flores and the Yellow Rose Band, and he performed in many others. In 2002, Bobby started his own label, Yellow Rose Records, under which he released eight albums over the next 16 years, including 2018’s Coming Full Circle with God, featuring many of the Christian hymns he had performed with his mother in the early days, and which included a special performance with his mother, four days before she passed, singing What a Day That Will Be.
Bobby studied music theory and classical violin at Trinity University under Dominic Saltarelli. He also studied jazz guitar with Jackie King, and classical guitar with David Underwood. Though a legend in his own right, Bobby never stopped collaborating with other musicians, allowing him to perform at places like the Grand Ole Opry and Austin City Limits. He was well-known throughout Texas as a solo artist and often appeared on Tru-Country. He has credits on over 400 albums and singles, including major label artists and performers from outside of the United States, and not just in country music, but in jazz, blues, classical, and Latin music as well. He received a Grammy Award in 2002 for his string and brass arrangements and violin performances on Freddy Fender’s album La Musica de Baldemar Huerta. One of Bobby’s recordings, I Wonder Who’ll Turn Out the Light, was included in Tommy Lee Jones’ 2005 film, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. He also composed all the music for the Emmy-nominated documentary The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez.
In 2009, Bobby established the B.A.M. Recording Studio and the Bulverde Academy of Music School where he taught music. His great joy was to instill in his students, and especially children, a love and passion for music. We will never fully know the impact and ripple effect Bobby had on the lives of those he taught.
While Bobby felt at home and in his element on a stage or in a recording studio, Bobby’s most cherished time was spent surrounded by family. He loved visiting with both his immediate and extended family, especially around the holidays. Bobby absolutely loved the holidays and especially Christmas, where he got to enjoy one of his main passions – dessert. Bobby also loved pulling out his guitar at holiday gatherings and leading his extended family in song into the wee hours of the morning. These are the memories his extended family will cherish most.
When not touring, teaching, or recording, Bobby loved spending time with his wife and doting on his grandchildren who, in turn, cherished their Popo. A great outdoorsman, Bobby loved kayaking, fishing, and hunting. He loved nature, loved his land in the Hill Country, and loved stargazing. Bobby also studied martial arts most of his life and developed a life-long friendship with his instructor, Lac Van Tran. At 18, Bobby achieved Black Belt rank in Omei Martial Arts, (one of the first two Americans ever to attain this status), then served voluntarily for several years as assistant instructor and coordinated and appeared in multiple state-wide demonstrations, including the Texas Folklife Festival. Bobby had internalized and lived his martial philosophy and training until his untimely passing.
Bobby was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jane. He is survived by his father, Robert Flores, Sr., his wife, Annette, and their three children, April and husband, Garrett Waller; Robert III and wife, Sarah (Bucher) Flores; and Joshua; seven grandchildren, Makenzie, Holland, Krew, Robert IV, Jordan, Charlotte, and Kayson; his siblings, brother Greg Flores, and sisters Debi Gardner, Sandra Carroll, and Marcie Davis; and seven nieces and nephews, Amy Gardner, Hannah Dalmolin, Gregory James, Jr., Hailey and Kelsey Carroll, and Aiden and Collin Davis.
Bobby will be missed tremendously by his family, friends, students, colleagues, fans, and the country music industry. Our loss is Heaven’s great gain.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date.
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