A procession pays tribute to the La Marque firefighter who died of COVID-19

THE BRAND, Texas – A La Marque firefighter died Thursday after a month-long battle with COVID-19, according to the mayor and acting fire chief of La Marque.

Jesse “Turbo” Turrubiate joined the fire department in February 2019. He is a graduate of the College of the Mainland Fire Department, according to a statement. He was a father of three and a US Marine Corps veteran.

Turrubiate was hospitalized on July 9 with COVID-19. He was transferred to intensive care shortly thereafter where he was placed on a ventilator.

“Please pray for his family,” La Marque mayor Keith Bell posted on his social media page, announcing Turrubiate’s death. “Please pray for the men and women of the La Marque fire department. May God bless us and keep us all in his loving arms and perfect peace. ”

The Mark firefighters and Texas City firefighters held a procession on Friday as Turrubiate’s body was taken to Carnes Funeral Home in southeast Houston.

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According to a statement, a fundraiser that was planned before his death will take place on September 12 at the Abundant Life Church in La Marque.

Officials said they could not confirm whether or not Turrubiate had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Funeral services are underway under the direction of Carnes Funeral Home.