Daniel J. Torres

Dan Torres, beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather was called to his eternal resting place on June 28, 2024. He was born in Las Vegas, NM, to Luciano and Manuelita Torres. He is survived by his wife Shirley Torres, daughters Gretchen Torres-Baumgartner and Danielle Torres; son-in-law Bern Baumgartner; grandsons Mason and Matthew Baumgartner and brother Robert Torres. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and brother Luciano "Buddy" Torres, and sisters Nettie and Alice. Dan was a standout athlete and played basketball and baseball at Los Alamos High School, he earned a basketball scholarship to the University of New Mexico where he played his freshman year and was then drafted into the Army during his sophomore year. Dan completed his basic training in Fort Ord, CA and played on the baseball team there. He then went to G2 school at the Alameda Naval Air Station. He served in Korea after the war where he was stationed near the DMZ. He was able to play basketball for the division team in Korea. He got an honorable discharge and received the good conduct medal. After serving in the Army, he worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Computer Division for 34 years and received numerous awards while working there. It was in 1964, while working at the Lab, that he met his beloved wife, Shirley Banister. They raised their two daughters in Los Alamos. Dan was able to continue his love of sports during these years and played, basketball, baseball and participated in the World Fast Pitch Softball Championship in Rock Island, IL. He also played against Mexico's Olympic basketball team in Chihuahua, Mexico. Throughout the years, Dan was a Loyal Lobo Club member and was a season ticket holder for Lobo basketball games. He enjoyed attending these games with his daughters, wife, and many friends. He was able to continue his love of sports by being a USTA-certified tennis instructor and a devoted tennis coach and cheerleader for his daughter, Gretchen. Upon retirement from the Lab, Dan moved to Albuquerque with his wife and daughter Danielle. He enjoyed playing golf with his son-in-law and took great pride in introducing the game to his grandsons. Dan enjoyed reading civil war history, spy novels, gardening and was an avid collector. Some of his collections include baseball cards, stamps, coins, and plates with Native Americans painted on them. He looked forward to doing word search puzzles, going to the zoo, and watching movies and TV Shows with his daughter Danielle and wife Shirley. He savored Shirley's home cooked Mexican food. We are grateful for Dan's love, friendship, and pride that we gratefully received all these years. We love and miss him so much. A graveside service will be held on July 26, 2024 at 1:30 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.