Jesse James Flores--known to many Highland Park residents as the owner of --died on Thursday, Nov. 8. He was 89 years old.
Flores established US Office Machines in 1962 at the corner of North Figueroa Street and South Avenue 58, where it continued to prosper well after typewriters fell out of common usage.
In addition to running the shop, Flores was also known to many Highland Park residents for his role as Santa Claus during numerous Christmas parades in the 1970s.
In his later life, Flores enjoyed dancing at The Highlands dance club, located at 104 N. Ave. 56.
Though his son, Ruben Flores, had taken over much of the responsibility of running US Office Machines, the elder Flores was still a fixture at the shop.
A memorial service will be held for Flores on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Continental Funeral Home on 5353 Beverly Blvd. A burial service will follow at Calvary Cemetery on 4201 Whittier Blvd. in East Los Angeles.
