Juan Jesus "Chuy" Torres

Juan Jesus “Chuy” Torres, 71, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024, with his beloved wife and daughter by his side.

Juan Jesus Torres was born on July 29, 1952, to Juan Torres, Sr. and Beatriz Torres.  As a young man, he was a migrant worker and helped support his family.  His family traveled to numerous states to work in the fields every year.  He grew up in San Benito and the young age of 18 married the love of his life, San Juana Torres on November 7, 1970 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas.  He then began his longtime career with USDA.  Juan was a federal employee for the United States Department of Agriculture for over 35 years as a Plant Protection and Quarantine Technician.  He received numerous awards of excellence for his effort during the West Indian, Mediterranean and Sapote and Mexican Fruit Fly Programs. He was also recognized by the Regional Director for the construction of the lab to screen fruit flies at the Harlingen Work Unit.  In 1991, he was recognized in the successful program against pioneer swarms of Africanized honey bees in Texas. The USDA also recognized him for superior service for developing and implementing public education and field action plans for the first migrations of Africanized honey bee swarms in the United States.  He took pride in the work he did and enjoyed building relationships with the numerous people he worked with while protecting the orchards and crops of the Rio Grande Valley.  He retired after 35 years of service to care for his father.

He loved fishing, barbequing, gardening, landscaping and enjoyed his pastime outdoors with family and friends.  He often used his creativity to construct and build numerous projects throughout the years as one of his favorite hobbies. He took joy in spending time with his grandchildren, attending their school functions and often sharing his hobbies with them.

He is preceded in death by his father, Juan Torres, Sr. and his brother, Juan Torres, Jr.  He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, San Juana Torres and daughter, Crystal Marie Jacquez, son in law, James Jacquez and 4 beloved grandchildren to treasure his memory and continue his legacy: Candice Mariah Garcia, Roy Josiah Garcia, Casey Madison Jacquez and Mason James Jacquez.  He is also survived by his mother, Beatriz B. Torres, stepfather, Jose Rangel; brothers, Jose Angel Torres (Odilia), Reynaldo Torres (Martha) and Martin Torres (Ida); and sisters Maria Nunez (Ismael), Beatriz Rodriguez (Abran), Felipa Grimaldo, and Rosemary Rangel.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends to cherish his memory.

The Torres family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00  p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock Tuesday evening.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Following the Mass, Chuy will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are James Jacquez, Juan Torres, III, Bruno Nunez, Jacinto “JC” Nunez, Michael Garcia, Carlos Tamayo, III, Felipa Grimaldo, and Sokie Hernandez.