SSG Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

SSG Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar was born on October 17, 2000, in DeKalb, Illinois. Shortly before his first birthday, his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Edgar grew up surrounded by the unconditional love of his parents and siblings.

He was the oldest brother of Samuel Torres-Tovar and Daniel Torres-Tovar, and the beloved brother of Krystal Torres-Tovar. To his brothers, Edgar was always a role model; to his sister, he was her protector and best friend. He was raised humbly, in a home where love and family unity were more than enough. He never asked for material things, because his family’s love fulfilled him completely.

Edgar completed his education from kindergarten through high school, graduating from Dowling Catholic High School. After graduation, he was certain of his purpose in life: to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, where he completed basic training and infantry school.

His first deployment was to Kosovo, where he shared unforgettable experiences with close friends Freddy Sarceno, David Hernández, and Luis Corona. During that time, they remained united, forming bonds that would last a lifetime.

After returning from his first deployment, Edgar stayed for a time to help his father with the family gutter business. He enjoyed watching movies with his dad, talking with his mom, and spending time with his siblings, joking and laughing together. He loved speaking about his work in the Army and how meaningful it was to him. He enjoyed board games with his family and cousins, playing with his dog Daisy, and video games with his brothers. He deeply loved spending time with his sister, whom he considered his queen, and adored his nephews, Castiel and Christopher. While Christopher was still in his mother’s womb, Edgar dreamed of returning home to meet him and watch both nephews grow.

In 2022, Edgar proudly signed his second contract for deployment to Kuwait. In 2023, he met his girlfriend, Yareli, with whom he shared his stories and dreams of marriage and starting a family.

In 2025, Edgar said goodbye to his family with hope and excitement to return soon. Even before leaving, he spoke about how much he already missed them. He spent his final days making as many memories with his family as possible.

While deployed in the Middle East, Edgar remained in constant communication with his parents, siblings, his two beloved nephews, and his girlfriend through video calls. Tragically, on December 13, 2025, his family received the devastating news of his passing.

Edgar was an exemplary person, a source of pride for his parents and a role model for his siblings. He was a family man, loved by all who knew him. He had dreams, goals, and a smile that lit up any room. He loved his work, and he left this world doing what he was passionate about.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving parents, Hugo Torres and Isabel Tovar; brothers, Samuel Torres and Daniel Torres; sister, Krystal Torres and her children, Castiel and Christopher; paternal grandparents, Jose Torres and Rita Garcia; girlfriend, Yareli Duran; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Santiago Tovar and Dolores Herrera.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. and the Rosary prayed at 5:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. There will be additional parking available at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th St, (please use the office and school parking lots first), in which the funeral home will be providing valet service. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Americas, 1271 E. 9th Street in Des Moines. SSG Torres-Tovar will be laid to rest with military honors at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa following the funeral mass.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a charity designated at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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El SGT Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar nació el 17 de Octubre de 2000 en DeKalb, Illinois. Poco antes de cumplir su primer año, su familia se mudó a Des Moines, Iowa, donde Edgar creció rodeado del amor incondicional de sus padres y hermanos.

Es el hermano mayor de Samuel Torres-Tovar, Daniel Torres-Tovar, y el querido hermano de Krystal Torres-Tovar. Para sus hermanos, Edgar siempre fue un modelo a seguir; para su hermana, era su protector y mejor amigo. Creció en un hogar humilde, donde el amor y la unidad familiar eran más que suficientes. Nunca pidió cosas materiales, porque el amor de su familia lo llenaba por completo.

Edgar completó su educación desde el jardín de infancia hasta la escuela secundaria, graduándose de Dowling Catholic High School. Después de graduarse, estaba seguro de su propósito en la vida: servir a su país. Se alistó en el Ejército de los Estados Unidos, donde completó el entrenamiento básico y el Entrenamiento Individual Avanzado (AIT).

Su primer despliegue fue en Kosovo, donde compartió experiencias inolvidables con sus amigos cercanos Freddy Sarceño, David Hernández y Luis Corona. Durante ese tiempo, permanecieron unidos, formando lazos que durarían toda la vida.

Después de regresar de su primer despliegue, Edgar se quedó un tiempo para ayudar a su padre con el negocio familiar. Disfrutaba viendo películas con su papá, hablando con su mamá y pasando tiempo con sus hermanos, bromeando y riendo juntos. Le encantaba hablar de su trabajo en el Ejército y lo significativo que era para él. Disfrutaba de los juegos de mesa con su familia y primos, jugando con su perra Daisy y videojuegos con sus hermanos. Amaba profundamente pasar tiempo con su hermana, a quien consideraba su reina, y adoraba a sus sobrinos, Castiel y Christopher. Mientras Christopher aún estaba en el vientre de su madre, Edgar soñaba con regresar a casa para conocerlo y ver crecer a ambos sobrinos.

En 2022, Edgar firmó con orgullo su segundo contrato para un despliegue en Kuwait. Ese mismo año, conoció a su novia, Yareli, con quien compartió sus historias y sueños de casarse y formar una familia.

En 2025, Edgar se despidió de su familia y novia con la esperanza y la ilusión de regresar pronto. Incluso antes de irse, hablaba de cuánto ya los extrañaba. Pasó sus últimos días creando tantos recuerdos como fuera posible con su familia.
Mientras estaba desplegado en el Medio Oriente, Edgar se mantuvo en constante comunicación con sus padres, hermanos, sus dos queridos sobrinos y su novia a través de videollamadas. Trágicamente, el 13 de diciembre de 2025, su familia recibió la devastadora noticia de su fallecimiento.

Edgar era una persona ejemplar, un motivo de orgullo para sus padres y un modelo a seguir para sus hermanos. Era un hombre de familia, querido por todos los que lo conocieron. Tenía sueños, metas y una sonrisa que iluminaba cualquier lugar. Amaba su trabajo y partió de este mundo haciendo lo que le apasionaba.

Lo sobreviven sus amados padres, Hugo Torres y Isabel Tovar; sus hermanos, Samuel Torres y Daniel Torres; su hermana, Krystal Torres, y sus hijos, Castiel y Christopher; sus abuelos paternos, José Torres y Rita García; su novia, Yareli Duran; y numerosos tíos, tías y primos.

Le precedieron en la muerte sus abuelos maternos, Santiago Tovar y Dolores Herrera.

El velorio se llevará a cabo el Domingo 28 de Diciembre de 2025, de 2:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m., en la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia a las 3:00 p.m. y el Rosario a las 5:00 p.m., en la Funeraria Hamilton’s Southtown, ubicada en 5400 SW 9th Street en Des Moines. La Misa de Cuerpo Presente se celebrará el Lunes 29 de Diciembre a las 11:00 a.m. en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Américas, ubicada en 1271 E. 9th Street en Des Moines. El Sargento Torres-Tovar será sepultado con honores militares en el Cementerio de Veteranos de Iowa en Adel, después de la misa fúnebre.

Las contribuciones conmemorativas pueden dirigirse a la familia para una organización benéfica que se designará posteriormente.

Las condolencias pueden expresarse en www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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The family of SSG Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar is deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from everyone in Des Moines and the surrounding communities. During this difficult time, our community’s strength, compassion, and unity have provided great comfort.

Below is the scheduled route that will accompany SSG Torres-Tovar from Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Church to his final resting place at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

We invite the public to show their support, love, and respect to this fallen hero and his family by gathering along the route or at appropriate overpasses along I-235. Your presence and gratitude honor his sacrifice and service to our nation.

ROUTE:
- SB ON E 9TH STREET
- WB ON UNIVERSITY AVE
- SB ON PENNSYLVANIA AVE
- WB ON INTERSTATE 235
- EXIT INTERSTATE 80 AT 113 MILE MARKER
- SB ON R AVE/VETERANS MEMORIAL DR.
- TURN INTO THE VETERANS CEMETERY

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