Pete Saenz Torres Jr

Pete Saenz Torres Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on December 15th, 2025. Pete was born in Van Horn, Texas to Higinia Saenz and Pedro Torres Casarez. 

He is survived by his two sons, David Joseph Torres and Micheal Anthony Torres, and daughter Jessica Anne Torres. Pete is preceded in death by his parents Higinia Saenz and Pedro Torres Casarez, two brothers, Ismael S. Torres and “Pancho” Torres and one sister, Raquel T. Desanna. 

Pete spent most of his youth in the Van Horn area until the 9th grade, when he moved to El Paso, Texas. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he went on to enroll at New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces under a special program with White Sands Proving Ground. 

Pete was a veteran, having been drafted into the Korean War in the 1950s. After returning from the war, he settled down in California. 

Pete was a Master Level Track and Field Official for the Olympics for over 35 years. He officiated at the Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Paralympics here in the U.S. and in the World Meets in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, and Mexico. He was also a member of the Olympic Organization Committee for the Los Angeles Olympic Games and was a USA Track & Field (USATF) Presidential Appointee to the National Official Committee. Later in life, Pete was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame. 

Pete returned to Van Horn to be closer to family in 2005. One of his favorite pastimes was reading; he always had a book in hand. He loved to spend time at local restaurants, most notably, the Chevron Truckstop. Pete was known to make sure to visit all his family here in Van Horn, often having sweet treats like donuts and pan dulce in hand. His many stories of family and travels around the world will be dearly missed.

 A rosary for Pete will be held on Friday January 23, 2026, at 9am. The funeral mass will begin at 10am, at the Our Lady Fatima Catholic Church, officiated by Father Sergio Legarreta. The burial will follow at the Van Horn Cemetery.

The pallbearers serving are Cody Davis, Fernie Calderon, Juan Franco and Ricky Sanchez.

The funeral arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn, Texas.