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Educator, civil-rights leader and community activist John Florez died Thursday in Salt Lake City. He was 84.
Florez' talents and interest stretched in many directions. Recently, he was a columnist for the Deseret News, often writing on challenges faced by the education system.
He was best known as a tenacious fighter for the Latino community, who worked until the end to make sure all people were treated fairly.
Not least, Florez is being remembered as a good friend and family man.
A South High School grad, Florez earned a bachelor's degree in sociology-anthropology and a master's degree in social work from the University of Utah.
He also received a Merit of Honor from the U. of U. Alumni Association as well as an honorary doctorate from Salt Lake Community College.
Florez was instrumental in founding several Hispanic civil-rights organizations in Utah, including the Utah Migrant Council and the Central City Community Center. He also was director of Equal Opportunity at the U. of U. and taught at the College of Social Work. In addition, he served on the Salt Lake City School Board.
Florez was a mentor to Michael Clara, an outspoken member of the school board.
"He talked about my responsibility to the people who elected me, not the bureaucracy," Clara said Friday. "He was blunt and said the feelings of the adults cannot be more important than the outcomes of children."
Longtime friend Archie Archuleta said Florez was always there when he was needed. And he kept an eye on community and state issues.
"He was the most honest person I knew," Archuleta said.
The two often clashed on issues, Archuleta recalled. "He told it like he saw it. We had some good knock-down, drag-out discussions," he said. "But in the end, he would work with you."
Archuleta also noted that Florez was a quiet family man who was an excellent cook. In the past five years, the old friends grew even closer. "I'm going to miss him very much," Archuleta said.
Among other things, Florez worked on the staff of Republican Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Activist Dee Rowland said she admired Florez for his nonpartisan approach to taking on challenges.
"I think of him as a friend whose perspective I looked forward to hearing," she said. "His long record of activism is impressive. He focused on the issues [rather than partisanship] and that's important."
If things were headed in the wrong direction, Florez was not afraid to speak his mind, Rowland recalled.
"He was a role model as someone who was willing to work with everyone," she said. "I would say he made the most of his talents. What more can we ask?"
Friday, Hatch praised Florez for his original ides and unique insights.
"He spent many years working in the trenches to make our state and nation better for everyone," the senator said. "He was a great advocate for those in need and continually looked for ways to help people succeed... I will miss his words of wisdom."
Florez is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Rebecca, Gregory (Kerry), Elisa, Christina (Todd); and an extended family of grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services are scheduled for Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Emigration Stake Center, 589 E. 18th Ave.
Thomas Burr contributed to this story.