Andrés Rodriguez Torres, 90-years old and longtime resident of San Fernando, California, passed away peacefully in his home on March 22, 2024, of prostate cancer. Andrés was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus Maria Torres and Felipa Rodriguez in addition to his brothers Francisco Torres, Sosimo “Steve” Torres, Avelino Torres and sisters Martina Torres Woodville, Mary Torres Organ, and Damas Torres Lane. Andrés is survived by his two daughters, Laura Iris (Torres) Favela (Oscar Erasmo Favela) and Carol Rebecca Torres, and grandchildren: Andrés Oscar Favela, Benjamin “Jamin” Gabriel Favela, Nicolas Fontes, Gloria Libertad “Liberty” Diaz (Luis Diaz), and Caleb S. Unkrich, and great-grandchildren: Josiah Patrick Ezekiel Unkrich, Oscar Andrés Favela, Eulices Benjamin Favela, and Lukas Amadeus Diaz. Born on November 10, 1933, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Andrés moved to Los Angeles in the 1950’s. He married Dolores Hortencia Villa, and they divorced several years later. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Andrés worked for Southern Pacific Railroad in Los Angeles while attending California State University, Los Angeles, where he achieved a Master’s Degree in Speech Communication. Andrés taught high school briefly for Los Angeles Unified School District and shortly thereafter, taught for more than 60 years as a college professor for the Los Angeles Community College District. He taught primarily at Los Angeles Valley College and Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC). Andrés was one of the founding members and instrumental in establishing LAMC for the greater Los Angeles area in higher education for underserved communities. He also taught on a short-term basis at California State University, Northridge and Occidental College. Andrés was an avid semi-pro golfer, political activist and public speaker, horseman, musician, and historic storyteller. Andrés loved baseball both as a player and coach. During high school, he played baseball as a pitcher and pitched his Las Cruces Union High School baseball team on to win the 1952 New Mexico State Championship. Later in his life, he was a devoted coach for his grandson’s Nick’s baseball team. Andrés enjoyed life and accomplished many things, and everyone learned from him. He loved his family and compassionate for his community. Please join our family in a memorial service to honor our father and grandfather on April 8, 2024, at 11:00am at Mission City Church, 777 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando, California, 91340. Reception to Follow.
Funeral Arrangements
Cremation Services provided by Guerra Gutierrez Mortuaries, 1001 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando, California 91340