Santiago “Papa” Flores aged 82 passed away in Monterey, Ca on August 30, 2024.  Santiago was born in Laredo Texas on November 15, 1941, to parents Juanita and Jose Flores.  Santiago lived his early life in Texas and Fairfield, CA.  He lived the remainder of his life in Salinas and Modesto, CA. 

Santiago served courageously as a Senior Airman for the US Air Force for six years.  He continued working as a civil servant at the Travis Air Force Base as a Load Master for 25 years before he retired.  Santiago began his second career as a California State Certified Spanish Interpreter for the Superior Courts of Stanislaus County and Monterey County for 20 years.  Santiago and his wife Maria annually organized and hosted Interpreters workshops in Salinas for continuing education requirements that all certified interpreters must complete. 

 Santiago was a lifelong musician; in his early years he played the guitar with his band “Los Dots”.  He also played Tejano music with his band “Los Veteranos Tejanos”, he played with other bands over his lifetime.  It was tradition for Santiago to sing “Las Mañanitas” and other songs at family birthday parties and other family celebrations.

Santiago and his wife Maria were serious Oakland Raiders fans, they enjoyed spending time together at every Raiders home game over the years.  Santiago’s love for the Oakland Raiders began in 1965, when he first became a proud season ticket holder.  He maintained his season ticket seats until they moved to Las Vegas in 2020. Santiago was honored as a charter member of the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame from 1996-2005.

Santiago and his wife Maria, and his grandson Sammy enjoyed many Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Summer holidays at their second home in San Antonio, Texas.  Santiago had tremendous joy providing fatherly support to his grandsons Sammy and Chito Garcia.

Santiago is survived by his wife Maria Flores, his children, daughter Rachel Flores and son Michael (Carolina) Flores, his stepdaughters, Alicia Serena, Nathalia (Rafael) Carrillo, Adelita Serena and Anita Serena, his brother Jose (Cookie) Flores, Pedro (Donna) Flores, and his sister Rosa (Israel) Russi, and his grandson David (Sarah) Flores.  Santiago had twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.  Santiago was preceded in death by his mother Juanita, his father Jose, his brothers Guillermo and Arnulfo, his sisters Olga and Juana, and his grandson Michael Flores.

Santiago will be remembered as kind and hard-working man. He will be missed greatly, and his legacy will live on in each of his family members. 

A visitation will take place for Santiago on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 1-5pm with a Catholic Blessing Service beginning at 3pm and a Rosary Prayer Service at 4pm all will take place at Healey Mortuary's Chapel.  His burial with Military Honors will be Tuesday, September 17th at 11am at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Rd. in Seaside, Ca.