John M. Flowers was born in Brundidge, Alabama, on October 28, 1943 to the late J. D. Flowers and Tommie Mae Lane. He was called home to glory on Friday, August 21, 2015.  John moved to Poughkeepsie at the age of 10. He attended Poughkeepsie High School where his quick hands and his on-point jump-shots made him an all-county basketball star. He served his country as a member of the United States Army's 82 ^nd Airborne Division during the Viet Nam War. He was a self-employed general contractor for over 30 years and loved to renovate houses.

John Flowers has been a community organizer since 1992. It was in that year he started Christmas Gifts to Nursing Homes and Hospitals after visiting his sister in a cancer hospital in Boston.  Other events followed and every event has a purpose:   2010 - Started Christmas in February at the VA Hospital to recognize the veterans.  1995 – Started the Old Fashioned Easter Egg Hunt so kids in Poughkeepsie can experience the same fun he had as a kid in Alabama.  2003 - Started Mother's Day Roses to Nursing Homes & Hospitals to recognize the mothers in memory of his mom and dad who died three months of each other.  2002 - Started the Father's Day Parade (first in the history of the country) to recognize the wonderful fathers in the Hudson Valley.  2004 - Started Church Picnic Dedicated to God to celebrate what God has done for all of us.  2009 - Started Halloween Party/Haunted House for the kids.  Each year he worked with the Hickey family in organizing the volunteers for the Eileen Hickey Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners at the Lunch Box.

John was the recipient of many notable awards throughout the community. On June 20, 2015, he received the prestigious honor of having lower Main Street dedicated in his name. He was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he spent almost every night at the John M. Flowers circle reflecting on the many lives he touched with his events and the countless people who inspired him.

John Flowers leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Glenda Flowers; 5 daughters, Yvonne Flowers, Alicia Flowers-Mullings (Fitz), Sheree Flowers-Preston (Levi), Lashonda Flowers, of Poughkeepsie, NY, Shatia Flowers-Valerio (Jerry) of Monroe, NY and special niece, Dr. Crystal Slade (Edward) .  Two sons, Frank Flowers (Lida) and John Flowers Jr. (Lilibeth) of Poughkeepsie, and special nephew, Dennis Slade (Vickie); three brothers, Larry Lane (Paula) of Texas, Horye Flowers (Theodora) and Wilfred Flowers of Alabama; two sisters, Delphia Williams and LaDedra Ruffin (AC); Life partner and special friend, Ralphynne Vance; 18 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and friends.   He was predeceased by his two sisters, Joan Slade Keys and Mildred Simmons and his daughter, Larissa Flowers McKinnon.