Gabriel Flores Anaya

My dear Father Gabriel Flores Anaya was born in Coucoyula Guerrero, Mexico March 18, 1931. His parent’s were Felix Anaya and Agustina Anaya. He was the First son to come to the United States in 1950 to work in a farm field in Northern California. In 1970 he brought his wife Antonia Anaya to join him in the United States, where they began starting a new lifestyle different from Mexico. Gabriel had five children Soledad, Ruben, Paula, Rosa, and Augustin. He has 19 grandchildren, followed by 15 great-grandchildren. Today I want to remember you with joy and gratitude for all you represented in our lives. Your energy and happiness for a living have always inspired us and filled us with hope. I remember how you loved to dance, constantly moving your feet to the rhythm of the music. Your elegance and good taste were evident in every detail. But what I admire most about you is your courage and respect for others. You always defended your ideas with passion, but never at the expense of the dignity of others. Your love for livestock and the countryside was evident, and you always proudly spoke of your work. But what I value most about you, Father, are the values of family and unity that you always defended. You always taught us that family is essential and that we must always be united and support each other to achieve our dreams. Your life story is an example of the American dream, of how anything can be achieved with effort, dedication, and solid values. We will never forget your last words “Amor, Amor, Comer”-Soledad Ramos