Jesse Torrez
Jesse Torrez, 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 11, 2018. He died quietly in his sleep – and we can say that he died with love in his heart, joy, harmony and peacefulness.
Jesse Torrez was a widower and father to Esther A. Torrez, Frances Kenna and her husband Gary, Jesse Torrez Jr., his wife Cynthia and James Torrez, his wife Larriann, grandfather to Hayle (aka Jess), Joseph, David Torrez and Stephen and Justin Kenna and a great grandfather to Andres Torrez. He was born in Los Angeles, California on December 23, 1924. He grew-up, went to school and farmed in Tulare for 30 years and was a resident of Porterville for more than 49 years.
Jesse Torrez was a husband, father, grandfather, godfather, a farmer, entrepreneur, pilot, veteran, an adventurer, an athletic and a lover of life and everything in it.
Jesse Torrez learned the meaning of hard work from his parents. He would say “there is no past and there is no future, there is only now to get your work completed.” As a farmer he approached all of life as important seasons in the sun. As a father there were many lessons he taught his children. There was a time to cultivate, a time to nurture, a time to harvest and that the best harvest depended on the quality of the seeds and the soil (your thoughts and your mind).
As an adventurer and pilot, he traveled all over the Southwest and through the jungles of Mexico meeting different people from all walks of life. But instead of in search of hidden treasures like the priceless long-lost Ark of the Covenant, he adventured to help family members reunite, taking great risks to make sure that families stayed together.
In his early years, Jesse Torrez was an athletic, breaking an all-time mile record at the West Coast Relays in Fresno California. He maintained that record for many years.
He respected everyone as individuals first, he accepted difference because he believed in the dignity of people and that everyone should be treated equally, justly, and with ultimate respect.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 25th from 4:00 P.M. to 7 P.M. The Blessing and Celebration of Life is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. at Peers -Lorentzen Funeral Service, 132 West Kern Avenue, Tulare, California 93274. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 26th at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Rita’s Catholic Church, 954 South “O” Street, Tulare, California 93274. Interment will follow at North Tulare District Cemetery in Tulare.