Obituary of Lauro Torres Ochoa

Lauro Torres Ochoa, aka Larry and “La Mascara,” peacefully passed away on May 12, 2019.  He was born on August 18, 1931 to Severa and Santiago Ochoa.  He was a life-long resident of Port Isabel, Texas and a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.  In his early adult life, Lauro was a shrimper and owner of the M/V Saratoga.  When he and his crew had to abandon ship after the Saratoga sank out at sea, he left the shrimping industry to pursue a career in law enforcement.  He eventually became the Chief of Police for the City of Port Isabel.  Subsequently, he left law enforcement to return to the shrimping industry and purchased the “M/V Laura B,” and thereafter worked at Tarpon Seafood and Texas Pack.  Those who were fortunate to know him, knew they could always find him at the local convenience store purchasing his lottery tickets and cigarettes.  He lived his life as he wished and lived it to the fullest.

Lauro is preceded in death by his eldest son, Lauro Ochoa, Jr., grandsons, Joseph and Joel Ochoa, his parents, and 3 brothers, Santiago Ochoa, Jr., Samuel Ochoa, Isidoro Ochoa, Lalo de la Garza, and his daughter-in-law, Lourdes Rosas Ochoa.

Lauro is survived by his wife of 68 years, Anna Maria Holland Ochoa; his children Palmira Ochoa, Jose Enrique Ochoa, Helen (Desi Delgado) Delgadillo, Yolanda (Mike) Pemberton, Orlando (Robin) Ochoa, Grace (Rene) Castillo, Jose Enrique Ochoa, Jr, Jessica Pena, and his former son-in-law, Alfredo Delgadillo. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Joanna Ochoa (Rudy) Hisquieredo, Dante Delgadillo,  Abel (Cindy) Delgadillo, Esteban (Evelyn) Delgadillo, Leila Delgadillo, Orlando Ochoa, Jr., Anna Linda (Matthew) Garza, Rose Mary Ochoa, Michael Allen (Evi) Pemberton, Anissa Pemberton, Hannah Castillo, Jayden Castillo, Seth Pena and Ethan Pena; 12 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Elva Ochoa Camacho. 

Visitation will begin Thursday, May 16, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas and will continue from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria St., Port Isabel, Texas.

Funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church with interment to follow at Port Isabel Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons: Dante, Abel, Esteban, Landito, Michael Allen, Seth, Ethan, and Jayden.

You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Lauro Torres Ochoa at: www.thomaegarza.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lauro Torres Ochoa to: Catholic Daughters of Americas, Court 2569, P.O. Box 1371, Port Isabel, TX 78578.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.