Telesforo H. Torres

Telesforo “Junior” Torres, Jr., known to so many as “Tata,” passed away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 82.

Junior was born in Aransas Pass, Texas, to Telesforo Torres Sr. and Enriqueta Hernandez Torres, and he never left the place he called home. Aransas Pass wasn’t just where he lived—it was where he built a life full of love, family, and memories that will live on for generations.

If you knew Junior, you knew his heart.

His love story with Mary Lou Esquivel is one his family will always smile about. When he asked her out, she said yes—but only if he bought her a bag of potato chips. He did, and that simple moment turned into a lifetime. They were married on December 28, 1964, and spent 50 beautiful years side by side, building a life, raising nine children, and creating a family that grew beyond what most could imagine—30 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Their love was steady, simple, and real. Now, there is comfort in knowing they are together again.

Junior found joy in the little things that meant everything. He loved sitting around the table playing Lotería and dominoes with his family, laughing and telling stories. He enjoyed old western movies, classic Spanish music, and reading his newspaper and AARP magazines. He loved going to the bayfront, watching the water, the boats, and the pelicans. He had a special love for sweets, seafood, fried chicken, and liver—and truthfully, he never turned down a good meal.

But more than anything, Junior loved his family.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy. They could light up his whole face with just their presence. He was the kind of man who made room—always. No matter how full the house was, there was always space for one more. If someone needed a place to stay, they had one. If it meant sleeping on the floor, then that’s what he did. One of the many stories that shows his heart is when he welcomed a family of nine into his already full home of eleven. What started crowded turned into a home of twenty—and they stayed for nearly a year. That was Junior. He didn’t just help people—he gave them a place to belong.

He never spoke badly about anyone. He believed in kindness, in giving, and in treating people with respect. To know him was to feel welcomed.

Junior worked hard throughout his life, retiring after more than 20 years as a net repairman at City Net Shop. He also worked at Ford Commercial Motors in paint and body, and at Little Bob’s as a cook. No matter where he worked, he carried that same spirit—quiet strength, dedication, and humility.

He shared a special bond with his best friend, Rodney Harvey. Whenever Junior saw Rodney, he knew it meant a ride and some ice cream—something he always looked forward to.

His faith carried him through life. He believed deeply that God sent His Son to save us. He spent many years as a devoted Catholic and later attended church with his daughter Karen and son-in-law Wayne. Even when he could no longer go, his faith never left him. He was often heard praying in the mornings and at night. His family finds peace knowing that his prayers have now turned into rest, and that he is reunited with his beloved Mary Lou.

Junior was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; his daughters Brenda Tamayo and Melissa Torres; his daughter-in-law Lisa Torres; his granddaughter Clarissa Torres; his grandson Joseph Torres; his parents; and several brothers and sisters.

He leaves behind a large, loving family who will carry his memory forward: his children Priscilla Bliss (Dusty), Yvonne Redmonn, Karen Authement (Wayne), Telesforo Torres III, Andrew Torres, Joe Torres (Brandy), and Rene Torres; his sisters Virginia Logdston, Julia (Ted Esquivel), Maria Elrod, Jennie Moreno, Rose Patterson, and Oralia Cruz; and generations of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

His favorite scripture was Matthew 6:9–13, the Lord’s Prayer—a reflection of the faith he lived by each day.

“Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name…”

Junior’s life was not measured in years, but in the lives he touched, the doors he opened, and the love he gave so freely.

Junior will be remembered for his kindness, his stories, his faith, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Aransas Pass, with burial to follow at San Antonio Cemetery.