Dr. Felix Flores

After a lifetime poured out in service, kindness and generosity to all he met, on March 29, 2022, Dr. Felix Flores passed away in the comfort of his home, having lived for 97 years and eleven months.

Dr. Flores immigrated to the United States during the 1950's and trained, first in Pediatric Surgery at Children's National Hospital, then in General Surgery at Prince George's General Hospital. After marrying his cherished wife, Janice, in 1959 and completing his residency, Dr. Flores settled in Laurel, Maryland. There he and Janice raised their family. Dr. Flores became the town's first general surgeon, a beloved fixture in the community, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and ultimately the chief of surgery at Greater Laurel Beltsville Hospital. He became an American citizen during the bicentennial year of 1976. He believed with all his heart that anything was possible in America. He also was a man of many interests, most especially his enduring loves for music, books and his beautiful garden.

Born into poverty in Tampico, Mexico, on April 25, 1924, Dr. Flores did not enter life in a setting of great opportunity, but he was blessed with loving parents and siblings. Early in life, he determined to be a doctor, and so he tirelessly pursued his education to realize his dream. Too poor to afford books, friends would lend him theirs so he could write out each book in its entirety, a reality which followed him into his second year at medical school. Through his dedication to excellence, his path led him from a seemingly impossible start in Mexico to becoming a beloved general surgeon in Maryland, leaving behind a profound legacy for those who so dearly loved him.

He is survived by his adored wife of 62 years, Janice Flores; five children, Teresa Strahlman (Scott), Daniel Flores (Mónica Pourrat), Ann Marie Flores (Lewis Nashner), Patti Flores (Shawn Staples), and Tom Flores (Carolyn); and his grandchildren, Francisco Flores-Pourrat, Wesley Strahlman, Adelyn Sutton, Matthew Strahlman, Clark Sutton, and Emily (Sutton).

The funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 114 St. Mary's Place, Laurel, MD 20707. The entombment will follow immediately at the church's adjoining cemetery. There will be a visitation from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Avenue Route 198 West, Laurel, MD 20707. All are welcome. Since the Archdiocese has lifted the requirement of masks, the use of masks is optional. However, since there are members of the congregation who are vulnerable, the family does encourage the use of masks and will have N-95 masks available. The family also asks that all exercise appropriate caution and common sense to avoid occasioning the infection of others in attendance.