Ernest S. Torres Sr.

SAN ANGELO Ernest S. Torres Sr. left this world on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at his home in Eola, Texas. He was born Feb. 26, 1943, in Eola, Texas, to Lorenzo and Eugenia Torres at the home of his Grandpa Jose and Grandmother Rosa Sarzosa only three blocks up the road from where he settled to live and raise his family. In November 1963, he married the love of his life, Dolores Moreno, in Tahoka, Texas. They settled in Eola where they had seven children. He lived an adventurous life having traveled and worked in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming. He loved to remember visiting Jackson Hole, Wyo., or telling of remenscing of meeting and knowing Bosque immigrants of Nevada who worked sheep in that part of the Southwest. His life was one of work and joy. He was a sheep-shearing captain for many years and worked ranches all over West Texas. During ginning season he was a ginner and operated gins in Taylor, Hutto, Wingate, Lamesa and Eola, among other towns. When he wasn't doing this he had his own mechanic shop to run. Always a busy man he worked seven days a week to provide for his family and so that his wife could stay at home and raise their children. He loved to buy toys like mini-bikes, go-carts and even motorcycles; all of his children learned to drive them even if it came with some bumps and bruises, much to the dislike of his wife. Their home was the neighborhood home where all the neighbors kids went to and enjoyed themselves. And while most other families migrated up north to work during the summer and early fall, he kept his family at home so they would continue their education, which was very important to him. Though we will all miss Dad, Tata, Neto or Ernie Douglas as he was known to by his brothers-in-law and others, we can rest assured that he is smiling down at us with his mom and dad and his brothers, Efrain and Mario, who preceded him in death. He is survived by wife of 48 years, Dolores Torres of Eola Texas; sons Ernest Jr. of Eola, Noel and fiancee Julia Cantu, Alex and fiancee Sylvia Sosa of San Angelo, Texas; daughters Lorraine Ramirez and husband Rudy, Mary Ann Escobedo and husband Ben, Erlinda Carmona and husband Robert, all of San Angelo, Texas, and Ermalinda Carney and husband Mike of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren Jennifer, Jill, Jesse Ugalde, Michael Ortega, Jessica Carmona, Shawn and Mike Carney, Ezequel, Rosendo, Valaria Escobedo; and brothers Senon Torres and wife Martha, Alfredo Torres and wife Letty, Joe S. Torres and wife Mary, Mary Castillo and husband Silverio. He is also survived by many brothers-in-law;sisters-in-law; and aunt, uncles and cousins. A special "thank you" to Dr. John Hunt and staff, Medway Home Health Care for their dedication and patience with our beloved father. Thanks to his friends and relatives in Eola who visited him until God saw fit to take him. Rosary is at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel. Service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2011, at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Eola. Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.