(Seguin) — The Seguin community is mourning the loss of a beloved spiritual leader, mentor, and advocate for justice.
Pastor Jimmie Lee Flakes Jr., longtime pastor of Seguin Baptist Church, died last week at the age of 83. Those who knew him best say he leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and compassion.
For decades, Pastor Flakes worked to bring the truth of God to the people he served. Seeing that work unfold throughout those years was Joe Patterson, a deacon at the church.
“He was sincere in his approach. Every sermon he preached, he preached from his heart,” said Joe Patterson, a deacon at the church. “He wanted to get it through to his people so that they could understand what God really means to mankind.”
For Patterson and many others, Pastor Flakes was more than a preacher. He says he stood as “a moral compass, and a man of deep principle.”
“He was an honest man,” Patterson continued. “If he did something that he thought that you should hear, he was going to tell you. If you did something good that you should be awarded for, he was going to tell you. That’s why I felt good as a follower of his to stay with the church and learn the Bible as he would teach it.”
Pastor Flakes’ influence extended far beyond the walls of the church. Jeremy Roy, a former Seguin City Councilman and longtime friend of Flakes recalled how the pastor’s counsel played a pivotal role in his own decision to enter public service.
“When I was thinking about running for council, I went to him,” Roy shared. “He encouraged me to do it, and his words to me were, ‘Jeremy, this is a service to the community. In its own way, it’s ministry to the community. Approach it with a servant heart and see if you can be a blessing to Seguin.’”
That spirit of servant leadership defined Pastor Flakes’ work not only in Seguin but throughout his career. Roy adds that his wisdom was also frequently sought in moments of “civic tension and national reckoning.”
“When George Floyd was murdered and we were trying to find the right response, both nationally and locally, we went in search of a voice of wisdom,” said Roy. “It was Pastor Flakes’ voice. He had so much experience… He was just that resource.”
The funeral for Rev. Flakes will be held on Saturday, May 24 at the First Baptist Church in Seguin. A viewing will be held the night before in his home church – Second Baptist Church located at 609 S. Guadalupe St.