Arandas Bakery announces the passing of esteemed 92-year-old co-founder Don Lupe

HOUSTON – Many Houston residents are deeply saddened by the death of Guadalupe “Don Lupe” Camarena, 92, co-founder of Arandas Bakery’s Airline Location.

His death was confirmed by his family and the company on June 26.

Don Lupe had humble beginnings. As the firstborn of a family of nine, he immigrated to Houston, Texas and founded Taquerias Arandas in 1981.

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By 1990, he expanded the restaurant supply chain to 10 locations. After opening these restaurants, his son noticed the lack of Mexican bakeries (panaderías), which led him to open Arandas Bakery in 1993.

Don Lupe will be remembered for his generosity, strong work ethic, and highly ethical and assertive leadership skills.

Lupe was a man who had one goal in mind from the beginning: to realize his life’s dream and fulfill the American dream by creating a household name and an excellent reputation.

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The Camarena family said they are very grateful to the incredible team at Houston Methodist Hospital for the care they provided him in his final years. Additionally, staff at Houston Fire Station 30 thanked those who cared for him in his final moments.

Below is Arandas Bakery’s full statement:

“We are deeply saddened to announce that our patriarch, Don Lupe Camarena, passed away yesterday. He will be missed by his co-workers, friends, customers and family. We know many have shared wonderful memories with him since opening our bakery in 1993. Don Lupe instilled in us a strong work ethic and a strong desire to achieve his life’s goal, the American Dream. He began his immigration to the United States by working in the Brasero Program to raise his family of nine. His firstborn, our founder Don Jose Camarena, then immigrated to Houston, Texas and opened Taquerias Arandas in 1981. As the restaurant chain quickly grew to 10 stores by 1990, his son quickly noticed the lack of Mexican sweet pastries (pan dulce) in Houston, which can only be found in Mexican panaderías (bakeries). So in 1993 he decided to open Arandas Bakery so his father could be his own owner. What originally started as a small bakery to supply his own restaurants quickly grew to the 6 locations we now have. Even though we say goodbye to him today, we have faith that one day we will be reunited with him. John 11:25-26”

“We are very sad to see the passing of our father, Don Lupe Camarena. His co-workers, friends, customers and family come a long way. Many share fond memories of when she opened the bakery in 1993. Don Lupe reminded us of an eternal calling in work and a great desire to achieve his goal in life by portraying the American dream. The first to emigrate to the USA worked on the fishing grounds as part of the “Armor” program to help develop his family of 9 years. His first, Mr. Don José Camarena, later emigrated to Houston, TX and founded Taquerias Arandas in 1981. Since 1990 the restaurant chain grew rapidly in 10 cities and his son quickly learned of a failure at Mexican bakeries in Houston. So in 1993 I decided to open Arandas Bakery so his father could start his own business. What was originally intended to be a bakery with overnight restaurants has now grown to 6 locations a day. Although we were wrong today, we know that one day we will get back on our feet. John 11:25-26″