Paul Flores

Paul Flores Jr left this life on Sunday, July 23rd, surrounded by his family. 

Paul was preceded in death by his father ,Pablo Flores-Carrion, his sister, Mary Flores and his mother-in-law, Faye (Simons) Sutherland. 

Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara J (Sutherland) Flores; his daughters, Fayanna and Caitlin Flores; his mother, Anna (Sepulveda) Cruz; his sister, Joan Grace (Flores) Carlson; his niece, Jeannette (Carlson) Tomchack; and his brothers,Dennis and John Flores.

Paul was born on the 26th of June 1949 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. When he was two, his mother and father moved to Lorain, Ohio to seek work at the Republic Steel Mill.  He was a Cub Scout with troop #343.  He graduated from Lorain Admiral King High School in 1967. Paul was heavily involved in the mechanics class, and he represented his high school at the State Championships with the wrestling team, placing in the top five. 

After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marines, where he served as a Helicopter Crew Chief/ Lance Corporal in Vietnam from 1969-1971. There, he earned a Bronze Star and a Twenty-Nine Strike Air Medal for the heroic retrieval of his fellow servicemen in Helicopter squadron 262 while withstanding oncoming fire.  After returning home to Lorain in 1971, Paul attended Lorain County Community College and received a degree in Applied Sciences while working at Ford. In 1978, Paul met his wife, Barb, at a friend’s gathering. It was love at first sight. Barb and Paul liked to travel, go dancing, hiking, ride motorcycles, and go on wild adventures together.  In 1982 they were married, and in 1986 the first child was born, Fayanna. In 1990, Caitlin was born. 

Before Fayanna was born, Paul and Barb purchased a farmhouse in Elyria township where they raised horses, chickens and ducks together. Paul was an avid outdoorsman, with an engineer's mind, perfect for farm life. He loved to garden and watch his niece, Jeannette and daughters, Caitlin and Fayanna, show their horses in the Lorain County 4-H circuit.

In 1995 the family took their first road trip to Disneyworld in Florida, in Anna's conversion van. It was near Atlanta, Georgia when the luggage blew off the top of the van into the highway, littering the road with panties and clothes. No one anticipated retrieving those items from the highway, but with the assistance of the Georgia Highway Patrol, we were able to get back on the road shortly after. While in Florida, the Carmichael family hosted a Sutherland reunion of sorts. There was much fun had in the pool, and getting to spend time with family.

Paul worked at Ford Motor company in Avon Lake for 41 years. Many of those years he spent traveling to workshops and conventions, learning invaluable skills he could share. After collecting just about every accolade available, he retired at 72 as an Electrician. He was well respected and widely loved within the Ford community and he formed mighty bonds with many of his coworkers, effectively making them family. 

In 1992 Paul and four partners built and opened the family entertainment facility, Sports N Stuff, Inc.  It was an accoplishment that he was very proud of.

In 2020, Paul and Dennis formed the Lorain Fraternal Order of Eagles. As Vice President, Paul was heavily involved in establishing the groundwork for the club and recruiting members. 

Paul's undying love for his family and friends touched many hearts over the 74 years of his life. He was supportive, kind and forgiving. He was described as compassionate and determined by some of his closest friends. Countless people will miss him, but we know his love will forever surround us.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 5 at 1:00 pm at the Old Stone United Methodist Church, 553 S. Main St., Amherst.

Wyers-Bollinger Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.