Obituary of Baldemar Covarrubias Torres

Baldemar Covarrubias Torres, 87, of Port Isabel, Texas, entered into eternal rest on Monday, September 4, 2017.

Baldemar Covarrubias Torres, (“La Mancha”) was born on December 6, 1929 in Port Isabel, Texas. He attended Port Isabel High School where he played basketball and baseball. He was well known for being a great pitcher, especially for his amazing fastball. Different teams from different leagues would come looking for him to play on their teams.

Balde was a very ambitious man, starting at a very young age. He was quite the entrepreneur; he had several businesses throughout his career. Balde was one of the first to think of the food truck concept. Being the determined man that he was, he went out and bought a bus. He would drive it along the beach on South Padre Island and sell food out of it. Other businesses included Taxi Cabs, Balde’s Bar. El Charro Restaurant, M/V Howell J. Defrene, Co-Owner of The Little Flower Shop.

Balde also worked in the shrimping industry for over 40 years. While he was out at sea, he would always find the spot where all the shrimp were. He would radio his friends through the CB and say, “Encuentre La Mancha”. From then on, he was known as La Mancha.

When the shrimping industry started to die down, Balde made a big change in careers and became a security guard at the Bahia Mar and the Sunchase Mall. He later retired to spend the rest of his days with his family. It always brought him great joy to see his family come together for holidays and special occasions.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Angelita C. Torres; one son. Jesus Omar Torres, Sr.; his parents, Tranquilino and Francisca Covarrubias-Torres; four brothers: Tomas Torres, Jose Angel Torres, Tranquilino Torres, Jr., and Benjamin Torres; and one sister, Piedad Guevara.

He is survived by his children: Baldemar (Albesa Luna) Torres Jr. of Bayview, Texas, Homero A. (Rosario) Torres of Port Isabel, Texas, Frances T. (Aaron) Moore of Kyle, Texas, Penny M. Dufrene of Corpus Christi, Texas; daughter-in-law, Lily Q. Torres of Port Isabel, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Guillermo (Eugenia) Torres, Guadalupe Torres, Hector (Irma) Torres, and Jose Angel (Anita) Ramirez; as well as several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a holy rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria Street in Port Isabel, Texas.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Port Isabel City Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers: Sidney Moore, Homero Torres, Jr., Reuben Torres, Ross Moore, Baldemar Torres III, Amador Torres, John Moore, Omar Torres Jr., and Angel Torres.

You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Baldemar Covarrubias Torres at: www.thomaegarza.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.