Fred Flowers

A memorial service is scheduled for Fred E. Flowers, 68, of Roswell, at 11am Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Anderson Bethany Funeral home and Crematory. Visitation will be Friday, May 6, 2011, from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Funeral Home. He passed away Monday, May 2, 2011, in Roswell. Fred, known as Budd to his friends and family, was born on December 19, 1942, in El Paso, Texas. He was born to Frances L. Carr and Joe Flowers. Fred spent his youth at New Mexico Boys Ranch in Belen, New Mexico. After graduating from Miracle Valley High School in 1960, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed at Goose Bay Labrador. He served from June 1960 until he was Honorably Discharged in March, 1964. He married Sheila Torres on April 15, 1964 after a whirlwind courtship. They remained devoted to one another for 48 years. Fred moved to Roswell immediately after his marriage when he was offered a job at the New Mexico State Police as a radio dispatcher. His was responsible for handling routine and emergency communications as it related to accidents, criminal activity, and assistance to the general public. After many fine years of service he was promoted to Communications Supervisor and retired from the State Police in December of 1988. In the 1980's, Fred started a tractor business which he named B & B Mowing Service. It served as his livelihood for the latter part of his life. He worked with many property owners both locally and throughout the United States to clean and maintain properties in Southern New Mexico. Fred received an Associate of Arts as well as his Bachelor of University Studies from Eastern New Mexico University. He specialized in Industrial Arts, and enjoyed woodworking. After his retirement from the State Police, he worked at the Roswell Job Corp Center teaching Building and Apartment Maintenance from 1990-1991. Fred was instrumental in the Roswell Community, working on the Chaves County DWI Grant Program as Data Systems Manager. He designed and maintained a database that tracked all DWI offenders who were arrested in Chaves County. Fred also worked as the Facility Security Coordinator for the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Roswell. During his tenure he developed a position that provided for the internal security of the facility, personnel, and delegates within the building. He was the acting member of the staff who greeted delegates and dignitaries as they entered the facility. Fred was a life member of the Freemasons, belonging to Hondo Lodge 74, Elks Lodge, BPOE 969 as well as the New Mexico State Police Brotherhood Association. Fred loved watching the news, sending and receiving jokes via email, and listening to Neil Diamond. He loved to hunt and was ecstatic that he shot his first elk this past January. One of his passions was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He and Sheila made several long-distance trips, including one to Tennessee to take Sheila to Graceland. He was active in the Pecos Valley Society of model trains and was highly involved in the remodeling and renovations of the train display at the Chaves County Fairgrounds. Trains were very special to him and he acquired several for his grandson to enjoy. Throughout his life he had some wonderful opportunities to travel with his family and grandchildren. He made trips to visit friends in Germany, vacationed in Catalina, Mammoth, and the Grand Canyon. Fred left behind his wife, Sheila Flowers, of the family home, two children, Traci Flowers Harris, of Huntington Beach, California, and Tara Flowers of Roswell, his son-in-law, Andrew Harris, and two grandchildren, Baron 5, and Paisley, 2. Fred was always known for reaching out to friends, and he leaves behind an abundance of dear ones, who touched his life in so many ways in his last days. He is preceded in death by his mother, Frances L. Tate and father, Joe Flowers. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Taylor, Dennis Russo, Charles Ward, Alfredo Garcia, Jose Esquivez, Samuel Aranda, Eli Brown, and Andrew Harris. Fred will be dearly missed by his family.

Fred Flowers

December 19, 1942 - May 2, 2011