Euclid Ray Flowers' Obituary
Euclid Ray Flowers died peacefully after a long illness on January 9, 2017 at the age of 94. He was born December 23, 1922 to Johnnie Clyde and Hardy James Flowers in Ackerly, Texas. He graduated from Lamesa High School in May l940 and enrolled in Texas Tech University in September, 1940. Even at the age of 18, sensing an inevitable world conflict, he enlisted in the Navy in February, 1941 and was sent to basic training in San Diego, Ca, training as a communications operator in International Morse Code. In August 1941, he boarded the U.S.S. MacDonough bound for Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii, where he was stationed to the Naval Air Station located on Ford Island in the middle of Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941 was a bright, sunny, Sunday morning, and Ray was on his way to visit a friend in the Naval hospital when he looked in the sky to see two planes approaching from the north with the Rising Sun on the wings. The two planes dropped four bombs on an airplane hanger 100 yards southwest of where he stood. The clock at the dock registered 7:55 am when he recognized the Rising Sun. His naval service included the U.S.S. MacDonough, Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor, U.S. Naval Station, Tutuila, Samoa, Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington and the U.S.S. Curtiss. He was called to a variety of Asian ports including Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Subic Bay, Philippines,
Manila, Samar, the Marianas and Guam. His medals included the American Defense, 1 battle star, Asiatic Pacific, American Area, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy in l947, Ray worked as an Oil Scout for Lion Oil Company in Texas and New Mexico until l961. At that time, he re-entered Texas Tech University full time, supplementing the GI Bill with a repair business he operated out of his family's garage, until his graduation in l964. Upon graduation, he worked as an accountant at the Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, CA and subsequently in Dallas, Texas for the Internal Revenue Service until his retirement in 1982. On July 29, 1987, he was the first man and the second patient to undergo open heart surgery in Longview at the new Cardiac Center at Good Shepard Hospital. He expressed his desire to have the surgery locally for his family's comfort and to support his community. Ray was an active member of the National Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, traveling to several national conventions, as well as meeting with his local chapter in East Texas. He loved raising cattle on the family farm, and in 1985 built, owned and operated the Wood Creek Mobil Home Park with his wife Rosemary until the business sold in 2013.
A member of the Church of Christ, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized September l953 in Midland, Texas. Ray and Rosemary were most recently members of the Hallsville Church of Christ. Ray was predeceased by his father Hardy James Flowers, his mother Johnnie Clyde Allen Flowers, and seven brothers and sisters including Jefferson Flowers, Hardy Flowers, Clyde Flowers and sisters Mary Dowdle, Juanita Woodall, Joyce Lamprich and Vema Lynn.
Surviving him are his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemary Brazzil Flowers, daughter Anda Roach and husband Byron Roach of Longview, Texas and daughter Elaine Shaw and husband Danny Shaw of Bulverde, Texas. His grandchildren are Whitney Clevenger of Longview, Phillip Clevenger of Houston, TX, Blair Taylor and husband William of Tacoma,WA, Jordan Shaw of Bulverde, TX, Taylour Reeder and husband Nick of Corpus Christie, TX, Russell Roach and wife Erin Roach of Southlake, TX and Kyle Roach and wife Macy Roach of Norfolk, VA and Cullen Roach of Longview, TX. Great-Grandchildren include Liam Taylor, Stephen Roach and Madeline Roach. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and beloved family friend Elmo "Bobbie" Torres.
He will forever be remembered as a kind and generous man who dearly loved his family, friends and his country. His heart was always open to those in need whether family or casual acquaintances. He especially loved cruising the seas with his wife and family, sharing old stories, laughing and playing dominos, cards and games with his children and grandchildren.
The family is especially grateful for the love, care and attention shown by Drs. Rodney B. Slone, Rodney L. Henry, Larry L. Frase and C. R. Martin as well as a host of nurses, therapists and staff at Good Shepard Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital, some of whom cared for him for over thirty years.
A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 pm, Thursday, January 12, 2017 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Burial will follow at the Hallsville Cemetery. Visitation
will be held from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial guest book may be signed at www.raderfh.com
Memorials may be made to: The American Heart Association 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or to the Navy Seal Foundation 1619 D Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23459
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