Felipe Flores

Felipe Flores, 94, of Sunnyside, Washington passed away, Monday, September 18, 2023 at Prestige Rehabilitation in Sunnyside after a short illness.

Felipe was born February 5, 1929 to Anselmo and Adelina Flores. He lived in Mexico throughout his teenage years and moved to Texas as a young adult. He married his wife Josefina Garcia in 1954. They moved to Washington state in the late 1950’s to work in agriculture and to start a new life.  They settled in Sunnyside where they raised 5 children together.  He and his family’s work in the fields of asparagus, apples, turnips, rutabagas and hops contributed to the bounty of the Yakima Valley.

Felipe was an avid gardener; he loved his plants and vegetables and raised a wide variety throughout the years. He especially loved growing Jalapeno and Serrano peppers and lots of tomatoes. Felipe will be remembered for his witty humor, feisty attitude, and generosity. Felipe loved to share and give things to his friends and family. When you visited him, he would always offer food or orange soda.  He loved his orange soda and had cases everywhere in his house. He liked to give his friends food that he had cooked or produce grown in his garden.

After retiring from fieldwork, he was known to go on long walks through downtown Sunnyside.  It was  not uncommon to see him walking down the sidewalk waving to people he knew.  His favorite thing to do was go to the casino. We often had people tell us “Hey we saw your dad at the Casino last night”. He will be greatly missed.

Felipe is survived by his children, Ana Maria (Mary) Fisher and her husband Scott of Prosser, Adelina Flores of Bremerton, WA, Nellie Sparks and her husband Madison of Poulsbo, WA, Phillip Flores of Pasco, WA and Nollie DeVol and her husband John of Tucson, Arizona. Five grandchildren, Ryan and Brent Bottineau and his wife Angelica, Vanessa Wagner, Jordan Flores all of Tri-Cities, Cole and Luke Sparks of Silverdale, WA. Three great-grandchildren, Haven, Brody, and Mya Bottineau all of Tri-Cities. He is also survived by one step-grandson, three step great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Josefina, parents, and his siblings. His last surviving sibling Juan Flores passed away in May of 2022.

Dad, grandpa, you will be greatly missed. We love you.

Viewing and visitation will be held Monday, September 25, 2023 from 8:30 am to the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am, all at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. Burial will follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Felipe’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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