Rodolfo Jose Flores

Rodolfo “Rudy” Jose Flores, 71, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. The funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney. Visitation will be 5:00-6:00 p.m. Monday at the church, followed by a prayer vigil at 6:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life held in Scottsbluff, NE at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to The Wounded Warriors Project or to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Services. Rodolfo was born May 29, 1954, in Scottsbluff, NE, to Roberto Perez Flores and Maria Guadalupe (Garcia) Perez. He is one of 12 brothers and sisters. Rudy grew up in Mitchell, NE, where he excelled in track and cross country. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, where he served during the Vietnam Era in Okinawa, Japan. He was a part of the 318 Fighter Intercept Squadron-Air Defense Command and was honorably discharged in 1975. He was a proud patriot often seen wearing his Air Force Veteran ball caps while camping at Lake Minatare or watching the many activities of his grandkids. Rudy was known for his mechanical knowledge and was the “go-to” for all things that needed to be fixed. One of his nicknames around the house was “MacGyver” as Rudy could fix anything with a roll of duct tape, popsicle sticks, and aluminum foil. One of his favorite quotes while working on one of his many projects was, “A jack of all trades, but a master of none, is still a lot better than a master of one.” Rodolfo was united in marriage to the beautiful, funny, one-of-a-kind, spontaneous Hope Torres of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Together, they had five children. He was a true gentleman and always made the women in his life feel like princesses. Parenting did not stop there, as he was also a father figure to countless people along the way. Rudy had a special place for kids on the fringe, who somehow always found their way to “The Rude Dog.” If you were ever at one of life's crossroads, Rudy was ready with a fresh pot of coffee, legs crossed, and a listening ear. With over 40 years of sobriety, he had plenty of wisdom to share. His brutal honesty was not always what you wanted to hear, but his words were never very far off. Rudy had several careers after the Air Force, and like many of those in Western Nebraska, it started on the Burlington Northern Railroad. Rudy suffered a serious spinal injury while on the railroad, and his professional career changed. He went back to school and graduated from Chadron State College with a degree in Business Administration. Rudy spent the next phase of his career developing recruitment and retention programs at the Western Nebraska Community College and Oregon State University. The Rudy Flores Scholarship Foundation will follow his life and educational vision. In 2002, Rudy and Hope moved to the Vail Valley in Avon, Colorado. Rudy retired in 2024 after a dedicated, successful career. As a clocksmith, Grandpa Rudy loved tinkering with vintage timepieces. There wasn’t a clock in the world that he couldn’t fix. When he wasn’t working on one of Hope’s Honey-do’s tasks, he could be found reflecting in the sauna or playing with his grandkids. We love you daddy! Rodolfo attended the Prince of Peace Catholic Church and was a man of strong faith. One of his greatest achievements, and a testament to his strength, was celebrating 41 years of sobriety. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Hope Flores of Kearney; children, Rodolfo Juaquin Flores (Diana) of Kearney, Destina Esperanza Montes of Kearney, Mario Jose Flores (Lauri Rowley) of Milford, MI, Mia Guadalupe Knotts (Chad) of Mitchell, NE, Che Ismael Flores (Aja Whaling) of Gypsum, CO; 19 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; especially Kamiyah and D’Amor Henderson; siblings: Roberto (Guadalupe) Flores Jr., Greeley, Colorado Ruben (Mary) Flores, Denver, Colorado, Ramiro (Denise) Flores, Denver, Colorado Rafael Flores, Lincoln, Nebraska, Maria G. Soto, Alliance, Nebraska, Yolanda Godínez, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Lucinda (George) Big Head Elk, Greeley, Colorado, Sylvia (Henry) Magdaleno, Mitchell, Nebraska, Lydia (Salvador) Morales, Mitchell, Nebraska Rebecca (Esteban) Acosta, Antelope, California, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Preceded in death by parents Roberto P. and Maria G Flores. Sister (in-laws): Dolores Balboa, Alicia Torres-Garibay, Rosemary Torres. Nephews: Steven T Blanco II, Diego Magdaleno Niece: María Del Carmen Flores, EvieAnna Bernice Flores. Great-nephew: DaVon Flores.

Rodolfo Jose Flores

May 29, 1954 - November 18, 2025