Don Lupe, co-founder of Houston’s Arandas Bakery, dies at age 92

HOUSTON (KIAH) – José Guadalupe “Don Lupe” Camarena was a leader whose contributions to the Houston community will not be forgotten. On June 26, the family of the co-founder of Arandas Bakery, Inc. announced the passing of the 92-year-old patriarch.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing yesterday of our patriarch Don Lupe Camarena. He will be missed by his employees, 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 goal: achieving the American dream. He initially began his migration to the United States by working in the Brasero program to help raise his family of 9. His firstborn, our founder Don Jose Camarena, later emigrated to Houston, Texas and founded Taquerias Arandas in 1981. As the restaurant chain quickly grew to 10 stores by 1990, his son quickly noticed the lack of Mexican pastries (Pan Dulce) in Houston that can only be found in Mexican Panaderías (bakeries). So, in 1993, he decided to open the Arandas Bakery so that his father could become his own owner. What started as a small bakery to supply its own restaurants quickly grew to six locations today.

Statement from the family of Don Lupe Camerena

The family sent a special thank you to the staff at Houston Methodist Hospital and Houston Fire Station 30 for providing Camarena with a car in his final days.