Joe Pete Flores

Joe Pete Flores, 93 of Stratford, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM in the morning on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the First Methodist Church of Stratford, with Pastor Seth Seale, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Sunray, officiating. Interment will follow at Stratford Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 16, at the Morrison Funeral Home in Stratford. Arrangements are under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.

Joe, an eighth-generation Texan, was born on February 12, 1931, at the Flores Homestead west of Stratford, to James Wendell and Lena (Harrell) Flores. As a member of the fourth generation of Flores family to live in the Texas Panhandle, his childhood included first-hand exposure to the harshness of the “dirty thirties” droughts and dust storms, as well as the Depression and World War II.  Joe graduated from Stratford High School in 1949 and attended Colorado State A&M where he graduated with a degree in Animal Science in 1953.  Following graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.   In August 1953, he married Ruth Ann Kennedy, and they had six children together.  Joe’s Air Force career included four years in active status and 16 years in the USAF Reserves.  In 1957, he returned to Stratford and began ranching.  

In 1963, Joe joined Texas Farm Bureau and Southern Farm Bureau Insurance Companies as Agency Manager for Sherman County Farm Bureau. While with Farm Bureau, he won 49 out of 52 Round Table Awards for exceptional service to the company and community. 

He later married Chris Flores, who he often called the love of his life, on April 13, 2007, in Stratford. 

Joe’s challenge to everyone, including himself, was “go make a hand.”  He had a passion for ranching and eventually owned ranches in the Texas Panhandle and in New Mexico.  He was committed to the Cowboy heritage and belonged to the Working Ranch Cowboy Association and the Ranching Heritage Association.  He was also associated with the National Bit and Spur Association for many years. Joe was a lifetime member of First Methodist Church in Stratford and will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Sisty Vincent and her husband Jack; son Patrick Flores; and granddaughter Lacy Cartrite.

Joe is survived by his wife, Chris of the home; children Bill Flores and wife Gina of Bryan, TX; Dr. Mike Flores of Amarillo, TX; Jeff Flores and wife Kay of Dalhart, TX; Annette Flores and husband Cecil Bailey of Tribune, KS; and Leslie Lopez of Watauga, TX; Lisa Cartrite of Amarillo, TX;  Jonna Neeley and husband Curtis of Sunray, TX; Ty Robertson and wife Presley of Lubbock, TX; Ronnie Robertson of Plains, TX; 23 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to the Stratford Area Foundation (PO Box 48, Stratford, TX 79084) or the Ranching Heritage Foundation (https://ranchingheritage.org).