Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Val R. Torres Jr.

1925 - 2012

BORN

1925

DIED

2012

Val Torres Obituary

Val R. Torres, Jr. 1925 - 2012 Val R. Torres, Jr., lifted by Angels, went Home to live with the Lord on December 2, 2012. He passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and stepdaughter, his dedicated caregiver at his side. Val was born in Bakersfield December 1, 1925 to Val, Sr. and Louise Torres. Graduating from Kern County Union High School in 1944, he attended Bakersfield College before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces where he became a tail gunner during World War II. Upon his return to Bakersfield, he joined the Bakersfield Police Department where he worked from 1951 until retiring in 1983. Val met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Crist in 1974 and they married in 1979. Together they enjoyed traveling to Europe to visit Spain, Italy and Ireland, explored Africa, China, South America, and the Caribbean and traveled extensively throughout the United States. A special place of relaxation was Pismo Beach and he found joy in his friend and companion, Budwiezer the cat. Val belonged to the International Footprint Association, Loyal Order of Moose, American Legion Association, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Kern County Shrine Club, Malaikah Shriners, the Police Benefit Association, Municipal Motorcycle Officers of California, and the Retired Public Employees Association. Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Shirley; brothers, Doug Torris and wife Wilma of Oceano, Don Torres of Rancho Palos Verdes; sons, David Wayne Torres of Bakersfield, Gordon Carol Torres of Palm Desert; stepdaughters, Mary E. Drake of Paso Robles, Leah A. Nelson of Pismo Beach, Danette E. Gundy of Tacoma, WA, Patricia L. Codorniz of Nipomo; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Val's family would like to extend a special thank you for all the compassionate care from Bakersfield Optimal Hospice caregivers who were there for Val, the neighbors, family and friends, and Christ the King Church. Sincere gratitude to Anna, an Angel who sat endlessly by his side until the day the Lord came to take him Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Val's memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Francis Church designated for the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center, or Bakersfield Optimal Hospice. Visitation is scheduled Thursday, December 6th from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday December 7th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara www.bakersfield.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Dec. 5, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Val Torres

15 Entries

Jim Camenisch

January 3, 2013

Val was definitely one of the fairest officers I've ever met. I was at BHS in the mid-part of the 60s when I first met Val. Val my father, Frank Camenisch, went to Bakersfield High School together and remain good friends until my father's passing. I can't think of one student that didn't like Val, we always called him the warning Cop, because he seemed to hated to write tickets on us, instead of a ticket would get a warning which always followed by a long lecture and his unforgettable smile. There are many policemen but I can say, this was a policeman's policeman.
May God bless you Val and may God be with your loved ones.

Rev. Sylvia Lack

December 12, 2012

I remember Officer Torres when I attended Bakersfield High School, many years ago. He was a always kind to the students and had a winning smile. We always felt "safe" seeing him near a crosswalk or talking to the students.
I thank God we will see him again in Heaven!

Alice Rodriguez

December 11, 2012

Gordy and Mrs. Torres;
Please accept condolences and prayers from the entire Rodriguez Family. We were neighbors for many years. Val was a good neighbor and friend to the Rodriguez Family.

Randy Boggs

December 11, 2012

Shirley and the rest of Val's family. Val was a mentor to me as a young beat cop for BPD. He was always positive in nature and was one of the most honorable men I knew. This world lost a good man in Val's passing, but the Man upstairs got a good motor cop with Val's arrival in his Kingdom. May your rest in peace ole buddy.

Delores Blanco

December 10, 2012

Family, of Officer Torres, the girls of 61-64 will alway remember your smile, and cute outfit, to bad the world today will not know how it really was at a safe school, you will be missed and always remembered at BHS 50th re-union. Love from Judy Sawyer, Carolyn Nelson, Maureen Brown, Delores Blanco.

JOANNA LOMAS

December 10, 2012

OFFICER,TORRES,I REMEMBER HOW YOU KEPT BHS STUDENTS SAFE AT BHS IN THE EARLY 60'S. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE ONE TRUE ANGEL I KNOW OUR LORD WILL RECEIVE AT HEAVEN'S GATE WITH OPEN ARMS. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE IN OUR HEARTS OFFICER, TORRES. YOU WERE ALWAYS SO KIND.... STILL REMEMBERED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.

JOANNA AND SISTERS

Kenny Cravens

December 9, 2012

Goodbye old buddy. It was my pleasure just to work with you and to be your friend.

Burt Barrett

December 7, 2012

Shirley, Sorry to hear of Vals passing. I worked with Val in Patrol at BPD. He was such a character. Always full of fun, and had a lot of funny BPD stories to tell. Val always called me Bear.

Dave Haskins

December 6, 2012

To the Torres Family please accept my deepest condolences. Gordon - I worked with your father and attended South High with you. Your father will be deeply missed

Jeff Byrd (retired motor god)

December 6, 2012

Gordon,
So sorry hear about your dad. What a patriot and true American hero. A man who dedicated his life in service to his country. Val "the motor god" Torres Jr. will certainly be missed. Your are in our thoughts and prayers.

December 5, 2012

Val:

Rest in peace my friend. I first meet you in 1961 when you stopped me (several times) cruising the BHS campus when I was supposed to be in class at Arvin High. Years later when I became a Deputy and ran into you again you remembered me because my brother had been an BPD Reserve and you were still as nice as you'd been the first time you stopped (and chewed) me out. God bless you Val and a job well done. You are the only ex-cop I know that made more friends in your job than enemies. God is waiting for you.

Richard Ramirez.......

Jimmy Gonzales

December 5, 2012

Gordon... sorry to hear about your dad. My most sincere condolences to you and your family.

Kay Gollmyer

December 5, 2012

Hi Shirley, Sorry to read of Vals passing. I moved to Roseville when I lost Frances 3 years ago. No more RV but still own the Holiday RV spot. I live in Del Web Sun City Roseville community close to my daughter and youngest son. GOD bless you and family. Kay Gollmyer

Ginny

December 5, 2012

I graduated from BHS and remember Val very well, he was our "campus cop." My how things have changed. Val was student friendly. We all liked him. I narrowly escaped getting a ticket for speeding after school one lucky day. Rest in peace.

December 5, 2012

Val Torres was very much a presence around the Bakersfield High School campus in 1965 when I graduated!! He was a friend of my dear departed Dad, Skip Blair, who was also a Bakersfield Police Officer. Val was always very kind to the Blair girls. RIP, Val R. Torres Jr.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results