Benigno Torres

Benigno “Benny” Torres, age 71, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in peace at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Benny was born on February 13, 1952, in Taylor, Texas, to Frank R. Torres and Bertha P. Torres. He was the youngest of five children. Benny played football and was a drum major in the high school band. He graduated from Frenship High School in 1971, before attending Texas Tech University. He worked for Texas Instruments in Lubbock, Texas. When they closed, he moved to the DFW area and went to work at the Texas Hairline Barbershop, shining shoes in terminal E at DFW International Airport. Later he moved to San Antonio, TX and helped his sister manage the VIP Barber Shop and shoe shine stand at the San Antonio International Airport for approximately 5 years. He used to tell people as they walked past the shop “Shine ‘em Up!” He returned to the DFW area in 1997 to take care of his mom and dad. During his tenure at both airports, he had the opportunity to meet numerous celebrities. He enjoyed meeting people, telling jokes, and making people laugh. He used to tell us about his encounters with famous people like: Tiger Woods, Santana, Shaquille O’ Neal, Barry Switzer, George Strait, and various San Antonio Spurs players. Benny loved animals, especially a solid black cat that he appropriately named “Snowball”. He also loved listening to music, playing the drums, and watching sports. He was very knowledgeable in music and sports trivia. Benny was a die-hard Texas Tech Red Raider fan, staying true to his college roots. He was a huge Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan. Because of Patrick Mahomes (who started out as a quarterback for Texas Tech), Benny was always rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. When his family and friends called him on the phone, they were greeted with a humorous recorded message: “Hello cockroach! I’m not here right now. Leave your name and number. Later gator!”.

Benny was preceded in death by his parents, Frank R. Torres and Bertha P. Torres, and his nephew Troy D. Girdler.

Benny is survived by his daughter and her husband, Amanda and Matt Lucero, and his grandson Alexander Lucero. He is also survived by: his sisters, brothers, and their spouses – Liz Ortiz, Vita and Will Girdler, Sal Torres, and Ray and Kay Torres; his nephews, nieces, and their spouses – Lynn Torres, Gloria and David Shew, Lee and Dawn Ortiz, David Torres, and Alan Torres; and his great nephews and nieces – Robert Farrell, Trinity Shew, Andan Torres, Talia Shew, Arlan Torres, and Azlan Torres.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Baptist Church, 209 N Pine St. Roanoke, TX 76262, on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1 pm. Dr. Bruce Barber, pastor, will preside over the services. Fellowship will follow for family members.

A private family graveside service will be held on a later date at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX 76034.

All flowers are to be delivered to First Baptist Church, Roanoke.