He came as a ten-year-old from Cuba to Marshalltown. He went on to be named a Special Ambassador for Latin American Affairs by Jimmy Carter, was at Ground Zero, helping out after 9/11,  and then returned to Marshalltown upon retirement.

Sunday, Carlos Portes passed away at the age of 68. After returning to Marshalltown in 2013, Portes volunteered in many capacities, including the role as the first local president of LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Even though he was in the midst of some major events, such as 9/11, Portes always attributed his success to growing up in Marshalltown.