Demetrio Z. Torres Jr. Obituary (1933 - 2019)

Demetrio Z. Torres Jr. a longtime resident of Galveston County passed away Monday, August 12, 2019 at the age of 86, in Texas City. Demetrio was the eldest son of fourteen children born in Weslaco, Texas on July 14, 1933 to Demetrio and Susana Torres. He leaves his wife of 63 years, Bertha (Berlanga) Torres; his sons, Demetrio III, Daniel (Maggie), Michael (Rose), Edward (Ann), Samuel Sr. (Debby); his daughters, Dianne (Michael) Duron, Doris (Thaddeus) Butler; seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; numerous relatives and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Demetrio and Susana (Zertuche) Torres; his sisters, Nellie Flores; Carmen Mendez; Irma Torres; his brothers, Roque and David Torres and his son, Damian Torres. After serving in the Air Force for four years, Demetrio married Bertha and soon after began starting a family where they were blessed with eight children, 6 boys and 2 girls. Spending time with family was very important to him, whether it was watching the Houston Astros win the World Series, the Texans and Cowboys football games, and afternoon Barbecue and most recently the monthly family breakfasts. In his early years, Demetrio would sell insurance through the neighborhood and to many family members. If there was someone who needed his help or his money he was always there to lend it. In his efforts to obtain a better life for his family, he became a certified welder at Del-Mar College in Corpus Christi and soon after moved his young family north to Galveston, Texas; where he became a welder for Todd Shipyard. He still knew he wanted to do more for his family; so he left the shipyard and became employed with Amoco, which we all know now as BP and is now Marathon GBR. He retired from BP after twenty-seven years and earning the title Oil Movements Supervisor. In his servant abilities, he wanted to do more to help others, Demetrio became employed at College of the Mainland as a Testing Coordinator in the Adult Education Department, he proudly worked to help and encourage each student that he encountered and did this for nine years, so he "retired" again at the age of 76. It was then that he planned small trips for he and Bertha to take to visit family in south Texas, close friends in Floresville, Texas. Demetrio had a passion for serving God, his Church and those in need. He earned his Fourth Degree Knighthood and was very proud to wear the uniform while protecting the Church. Until just a few months ago he volunteered to assist those in great need at the St. Vincent DePaul twice a week. When the opportunity came back to parishioners for adoration, he was quick to sign-up and volunteer; even though he knew he would have to ask for Bertha to help drive him there. Serving as Pall Bearers: grandsons; U.S. Army Specialist, Chance Torres, Samuel Jr. and Victor Torres, Thaddeus Butler Jr., Dan and Joseph Faust. Honorary Pall Bearers are his sons; Demetrio, Daniel, Michael, Edward and Samuel Sr. and his sons-in-law; Michael Duron and Thaddeus Butler Sr. also, the Knights of Columbus, Father Roach Council 3217 Visitation will be Friday, August 16, 2019 at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City 5-7 PM, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00. A funeral Mass will be held at The Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson, Texas August 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM with interment following at Forrest Park East cemetery in Webster, Texas. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors that cared for him in his final days. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shrine of the True Cross, Capital Campaign or St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Shrine of the True Cross (400 FM 517-E, Dickinson, TX 77539).