A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Mark “Bull” Torrez of Artesia.
Torrez, 53, beloved father, was called to his eternal resting place Friday, Feb. 16, 2018.
A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Torrez, Jim Palmer, Joshua Palmer, Israel Bejarano, Scott Gutierrez and Jeffrey Ross. Honorary pallbearers are Nubbin Crouch, Robert Torrez, Steve Vargas, Dominic Bejarano, Felix Herrera and Liam Tryon.
Mark was born Jan. 6, 1965, in Artesia to Raul and Consuelo Torrez.
He was employed as a plumber and was a true “jack of all trades” when it came to working with water systems. He had an excellent work ethic about always “getting the job done right,” a mindset he passed along to his children. Oftentimes, he did not charge his patrons for his services, even at late hours.
Bull never knew a stranger. He was never without a joke to share and always wanted to make those around him laugh. Although laughter was a big part of his life, Bull was serious when it came to helping those in need, whether it was an ear to listen with or arms to embrace someone who needed a hug. He had many struggles in life that he battled daily, but he used the lessons from those struggles to help others up until the day he passed.
Bull forgave himself for his past mistakes and did everything in his power to show others how to forgive themselves for their transgressions. He did not see color or social status; he saw the person as a whole and who they were in their heart, young and old alike. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed by his family, friends, and those he impacted on a daily basis.
Survivors include children Matthew Torrez and girlfriend Rebecca Tryon of Ruidoso, and Samantha Torrez of Lubbock, Texas; mother Consuelo Martinez of Artesia; father-in-law JT Ross of Lakewood; mother of his children Bonnie Ross Torrez of Artesia; his plethora of brothers and sisters, including Antonio Torrez and wife Rebecca, Raul Torrez and wife Donna, Felicia Bejarano and husband Oscar, and Christina Chavez and husband Tony, all of Artesia, Cecilia Palmer and husband Jim of Lake Arthur, and Benjamin Torrez and wife Sofia of El Paso, Texas; adopted brothers Bernardo Hinojos of Tucson, Ariz., and Rudy Hinojos of Dubai; numerous and beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews; and grandson Liam Tryon.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raul Torrez; mother-in-law Ruth Ross; great-nephews Cy Palmer, Elijah Garcia and Jaydon Bejarano; and his good friend Auggie Corona.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
