Archbishop Gomez said Archbishop Flores was "a pioneer and role model not only for me but also for a generation of Hispanic priests and Latino leaders."
"He knew the struggles of Hispanics in this country, and he was a friend to the farmworker and a voice of conscience for dignity and human rights. He taught all of us to celebrate our heritage and traditions and encouraged us to share our faith and values proudly and to become leaders in our communities."
Archbishop Flores was ordained a bishop in 1970, serving initially as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio. He was appointed Bishop of El Paso in 1978, then named by St. John Paul II as Archbishop of San Antonio the following year.
In 1981, he co-founded Catholic Television of San Antonio. He served on several bishops' committees concerning immigration and Latin America, and he also chaired the Texas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
On June 27, 2000 Archbishop Flores was held hostage for nine hours in his chancery office by a man with a fake hand grenade. The man, born in El Salvador but a legal U.S. resident, had been arrested for driving with a suspended license and feared he would be deported. The man surrendered.
Archbishop Flores retired in 2004. That year, he reflected on his priesthood.
"I've spent 48 years as a priest, and I have loved it all. If I had the chance to start all over again, I would not hesitate," he told Today's Catholic newspaper. "I might have prepared better academically and in some other ways. But I have literally found great satisfaction in simply being a priest – being a bishop is simply assuming additional responsibility."
"I have found it very challenging and very satisfying. So I've been happy at it and will continue to be happy."
The archbishop received many honors and recognitions. He was the subject of a 2007 documentary "A Migrant's Masterpiece", which considered his life in the context of Latino history in Texas and the Texas civil rights movement.
Funeral services will be held at San Antonio's San Fernando Cathedral.