Mr. Pete Alvarez, 80, of Cheek, Texas, died Monday, November 28, 2011, at Summer Place in Beaumont. He was born November 8, 1931, in Orangefield, to Ramona and William Alvarez. Pete was a United States Army veteran having served his country during the Korean Conflict.
Pete was an indpendent Borden Milk distributor for fifty-two years, a profession that he loved. He was born into the dairy business and was raised on a dairy in Nederland. He was a permanent fixture in the Orange area for over forty years delivering milk to local grocery stores. Many people in this area simply knew him as the "Milk Man". Though he may have seen the same people every day on the route, all will tell you that Mr. Pete always had something to say. He rarely missed a day of work and had many friends through his years of service with Borden Milk. His work ethic was one to be admired.
Pete's other interests were Quarter Horses. Along with his wife, Tessie, they were involved in many of the local Quarter Horse clubs. He organized many of the local Quarter Horse shows and was always willing to help the youth in the area. He was involved in local 4-H Clubs, FFA, and the South Texas State Fair where he purchased many of the local youth's livestock projects.
Foremost, Pete Alvarez was a loving father to not only his own children, but many others. Anyone who knew Pete and Tessie knew that their home was open to anyone. Boys that had no place to go for the holidays would come and stay and, often times, would end up staying and making their home there. Everyone knew where the "key" was and there was always room for everyone whether it was a day, weekend or longer.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Tessie Alvarez; his children, Rod Alvarez and his wife, Cathy, Andrea Beck, and Buddy Choate and his wife, Tammi; and grandchildren, Amber Alvarez, Pete Alvarez, Whitney Choate, and Carter Beck.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Raymond, Oscar, Tony, Joe, Lo Lo, Frank, Bill and Dan Alvarez; his sisters, Lolly Almond, Cheddy Leone, and Mary Maxwell.
Pete always looked forward to visits from his sisters-in-law, Fern and Nan Alvarez, who would come to visit with a pot of something good to eat and peanut butter cookies. To all the friends that would visit over a pot of coffee, he will be missed...
His funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Broussard Cemetery, Fannett. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Quarter Horse Association, 1101 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78757.
