Vicente Martinez Flores' Obituary
VICENTE M. “VINCE” FLORES
JANUARY 4, 1931 - MARCH 2, 2017
Vicente M. “Vince” Flores, 86 passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Hearthside Manor in University Place, WA. Vince was born on January 4, 1931 to Carmen and Pedro Flores of Guam. He graduated high school in Toto, Guam and then joined the U.S. Army at 19. He was married to Edith Renaud on March 20, 1957. Together they raised three children; Glenn, Joel and Colleen.
Vince retired from the United States Army after 27 years of service in 1976 where he served as a combat medic for two tours in Vietnam and one tour in Korea. Upon retirement, he worked for the Clover Park School District an additional 20 years. After Edith’s passing, Vince married Barbara Higaki on October 12, 2004. Together they loved to travel and golf.
An avid fisherman and crabber, Vince frequently travelled to Westport, WA for weekend getaways in his RV. He enjoyed playing golf and spending time at the casino. He always made sure that friends and family were taken care of and that everybody was always happy. He enjoyed making everyone laugh, spending time in his garden, fishing and being with his family.
Vince was preceded in death by his brothers, Gregorio, Pedro and Jose as well as his wife of 41 years, Edith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Barbara, and children Glenn Takeuchi (Marie of Spanaway, WA), Joel Takeuchi (Cathy of Bonney Lake, WA), Colleen Shelley (Mike of Lakewood, WA), Trish Long (Rich of Tacoma, WA), Lisa Smith (Dennis of Wisdom, MT), and Leland Higaki (Candy of Box Elder, SD). His seven grandchildren, Breanne LeBlanc (Danny of Fort Irwin, CA), Justin Takeuchi (Norma of Auburn, WA), Mitchell Shelley of Seattle, Christine Nolte of Seattle, Emily Takeuchi of Champaign, IL, Ariel Nolte of Bonney Lake, Alicia and Zachary Long of Tacoma, and Heather Takeuchi of Bonney Lake, David and Jenise Higaki of Rapid City, SD, and his four great grandchildren, Belle and Juliette LeBlanc and Eli and Rylee Nolte.
Special thanks to Dr. Ulrich Birlenbach for his care of Vince over the years. And our deepest gratitude to the staff at Hearthside Manor for their loving care of Vince this past year.
Vince’s celebration of life service with military honors will be held in the Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery on Friday, March 10 at 3:00 p.m. followed by a reception in the adjoining hall. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in Vince’s name.
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