Louis Romero, Jr.

Our father, husband, grandfather and friend, Louis Romero Jr., passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at home, lovingly cared for by those who adored him. He was born September 3, 1930 in San Antonio, Texas to Maria Torres Romero and Louis D. Romero and shortly thereafter the family moved to Kerrville where Louis was a lifelong resident and member of Notre Dame Catholic Church. He was a Tivy graduate, class of 1948, then attended Schreiner Institute and North Texas State University in Denton, where he studied commercial and graphic arts. He served two years in Japan as a member of the United States Army Signal Corps. \r\n \r\nIn 1954, Louis returned home to assume ownership of Torres Foods and Restaurant, the family business, established by his grandmother, Delphina G. Torres in 1928. In 1960, a new Torres Restaurant and Patio opened on Junction Highway and quickly became a favorite of locals and seasonal camping families. Louis perpetuated the Torres family tradition, warmly providing delicious, freshly made Mexican food to generations of loyal customers for almost 50 years. Remaining true to his grandmother's carefully developed recipes, everything was made by scratch, using the freshest ingredients possible. From hand-grinding the corn for tortillas and masa for tamales, to carefully chopping produce for house-made salsas and sauces, Louis never deviated from the methods and standards which Delphina, his Aunt Carmen and his mother Maria lovingly instilled in him. He was fortunate to be born into a family with three of the most talented and hard-working women in Kerrville, growing up in a home filled with love, music, dance and food. It was also a home where hard work was the norm, and idle time was not to be wasted. Louis operated the Tortilla Factory until 2004 when he retired and closed the business. \r\n \r\nLike his family before him, Louis worked quietly and humbly for the betterment of his fellow citizens and the growing community of Kerrville. Service was a passion for him and though he adamantly opposed ever taking any credit, the family feels that his dedication should be acknowledged. Though not complete, the following list includes many of the significant affiliations Louis maintained:\r\n• Peterson Regional Medical Center, Hospital Board of Directors\r\n• Peterson Hospice Advisory Board, member\r\n• Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), board member\r\n• Kerrville Public Utilities Board (KPUB), board member and chairman\r\n• Wells Fargo Bank, community board of directors \r\n• Norwest Bank, community board member\r\n• Kerr County Water Advisory Committee, chairman\r\n• Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, board member\r\n• Kerrville Public School Foundation, board member\r\n• Hill Country Arts Foundation, board member\r\n• Heart of the Hills Hospice, board member\r\n• Hill Country Youth Ranch, board chairman\r\n• Dietert Senior Citizens Center, board member\r\n• Children's Trust Fund of Texas, board member\r\n• Kerr County Historical Commission, member\r\n• Kerrville Area Economic Development Foundation, board member\r\n• Awards: 1996 Citizen of the Year awarded by the League of Women Voters and1998 Texas Public Power Honor Roll \r\n \r\nThough he would be the last to recognize his own contributions, Louis will be remembered for his tireless dedication to the organizations he championed, his consummate kindness, courtesy and class. He was a true gentleman who was loved by all who knew him. In addition to running his businesses and giving his time and energy to his community, two of the great passions of his life were listening to fine jazz and sipping single malt scotch. He enjoyed both as often as possible with family and friends. When diagnosed with cancer in the spring, Louis faced his situation with the largess and love with which he approached all things in his life, ensuring that all was organized and planned as carefully as possible so that those he loved would not be burdened. \r\n \r\nLouis was blessed in his life to have three wonderful families that he loved dearly and who adored him. Louis and Bobbie Ann Trigg were married in Denton, Texas on November 9, 1951 and welcomed daughters Toni (1953) and Gina (1956). They realized their dream in the new Torres restaurant on Junction Highway, working side by side to make the business a great success while raising their girls. \r\n \r\nIn March, 1972, Louis married Josephine (Joppy) Cavaness, and became step-father to her daughter Pam. Louis and Joppy were a dynamic couple in Kerrville, known for their kindness, warm friendships and love of their town. They traveled extensively but most enjoyed entertaining close friends and family at home around their pool. Louis lovingly cared for Joppy during her battle with breast cancer and made her comfort and happiness his primary focus for the final years of their marriage. As their much loved PaPa, Louis continued to enjoy watching Pam's children Reagan and Kaitlynn grow up and find success and happiness in their lives. \r\n \r\nIn 2002, Louis and Kerrville resident Rosemary Meek married, following the deaths of their spouses and friends, Joppy and Carl Meek, Sr. Though recently widowed, the two found great joy in their later years, enjoying trips to their waterfront home in Rockport and spending time with Rosemary's daughter Mary, son-in-law Sean and grandchildren Mary Ella and Gage. Louis devoted his later years to caring for family and friends, beloved pets and the ranch where he and Rosemary spent many happy evenings on their porch. \r\n \r\nHe is survived by his wife Rosemary Hunt Meek Romero of Houston and Kerrville, daughters Toni Box and husband Michael of Camp Verde, Gina Romero of Dallas, step-daughters Pam Dooley and husband Tom of San Antonio, and Mary Meek McNelis and husband Sean of San Antonio; step-grandchildren Reagan T. Dooley and wife Brandi of Arlington and son Liam, Kaitlynn M. Scoville and husband Garrett of Austin and Mary Ella and Gage McNelis of San Antonio.\r\n \r\nServices: A visitation for the community will take place at Grimes Funeral Chapels at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24. A Mass celebrating Louis' life will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at 10 am at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Pallbearers Include: Don Schaded, Dr. Samuel Junkin, Bill Taylor, Mike Box, Tom Dooley, Regan Dooley, Sean McNelis, Garrett Scoville, Ron Cody, Larry Spillman, Leroy Mosty, Dan Burt, Dr. Mike Martin and Dr. Bill Rector. \r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raphael Community Free Clinic and Peterson Hospice in Kerrville. \r\n \r\nThe family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to physicians and friends Dr. Mike Martin and Dr. James Young, the staff at Peterson Hospice and Home Health Care and caregivers Rachel, Jennifer, Cynthia and Kathy. \r\n \r\n