Judge "Lupe" Flores passes away

Jefferson County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Lupe Flores passed away this morning at the age of 65. Friends said family, fairness and generosity were three things the trailblazing judge held dear to his heart."You can judge a man's character by how he handles power," Bob Wortham, Jefferson County district attorney said. "Some judges become erratic, power hunger and make foolish decisions, not Lupe."

Wortham and Flores are long time colleagues and friends. Wortham describes Flores as one of the most down to earth judges in the county and said no matter who set foot in his courtroom, Flores always made it a point to show that he cared.

"He was a very comforting person to be around," Wortham said. "You always felt at ease when you are talk to Lupe Flores."

Friends said the judge – who was the first Hispanic judge in Jefferson County -- who served in this area for nearly a quarter of a century was not only an excellent practitioner of the law, but a master in the molding of young minds.

"He was one of the reasons why I realized early on that doing the wrong things in life was not going to get you anywhere," family friend Carlos Hernandez said.

Hernandez, 50, said he has looked up to Flores since he was in the middle school.

I always praised him and looked up to him because he was always looking up to everyone else and putting their feelings ahead of his own," Hernandez said.

District Judge Kent Walston – another Flores Colleague – also heaped praise on the newly departed judge.

"You will have a hard time finding somebody as well rounded as Judge Flores, who gave back to his community like he did on a consistent basis," Walston said.

Members of the West Brook High School Community said Flores was always the first to volunteer as he did for the West Brook High School Football Boosters Club.

"Sometimes we wonder why Lupe was not gathering a paycheck at West Brook High School," Kristi Fuselier, West Brook student activities director said. "He was a parent, volunteer he just was always here, anything we needed Lupe was just here to help."

Fuselier said the generous Flores played a big role at the school and said even though he is physically gone his presence will live on.

"When you lose someone like that, you do not fill their shoes," Fuselier said. "He will always be a presence here. Next football season he will be there."

The Commissioner's Court does not have immediate plans to fill the vacancy in order to allow Flores's family to grieve. Flores's cases are currently being covered by three other judges.

Funeral services are pending.

Judge Flores was 65.