Esiquio Espinoza Jr.

A Celebration Of Life
Esiquio Espinoza Jr
November 20, 1943 - January 21, 2026

“God has fulfilled his purpose in my life, my duty is done, and I rest in his peace“
final farewell long live Esiquio Espinoza Jr.

St.Thomas More Catholic Church Ceremony
January 29, 2026
Viewing- 11:30 am
Rosary- 1:30 pm
Mass- 2:00 pm

Fort Sam Houston Cemetery
January 30, 2026
Graveside Service with Military Honors- 9:00am
Shelter 1

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Esiquio Espinoza Jr.

Life journey and dialogue of his history of life.

He was born November 20, 1943. To his mother, Luz Cardosa and Ezekiel Espinoza, in San Antonio, Texas.

Early on his life due to young parents, he was raised by his grandparents, Luz Cardosa and Jesus Cardosa till the tender age of 12 years old due to an unfortunate early death of his grandparents his life changed dramatically, having to be raised around his aunt and his mother with moving around from home to home at a young age. My father decided very early on that he wanted stability. He had his uncle and aunt sign him into Boysville at the age of 14 years old until he was 16 years old, my father was diligent and dedicated strong will young man where he attended, Clemens high school in Schertz Tx, where my father was very active in school he played football, ran track, basketball and played baseball. He always talked about how his life was at boysville , he enjoyed his stay. He often informed me that he would get up at 5 o’clock in the morning. The boys had to do chores, feeding the animals and cleaning up their rooms before breakfast and heading off to school. He often told me about his simple life of going to a secondhand store twice a year to choose clothing. With an allowance that he would be able to get him a pair of blue jeans, two khaki pants and four shirts, socks, and underwear.

Our father decided that he had outgrown Boysville after graduating high school at the early age of 17 and decided that he wanted to join the military and his parents signed for him to join the Navy and dad’s career started there , dad served the Navy in the military traveled around the world for 4 years, once his term was up, he returned to San Antonio, tried an adjustment to the civilian world and worked with his father in the meat market on the west side of San Antonio and decided it wasn’t for him. One year later he decided to swear in to the United States Army, and during his sign up, he went into the combat war in 1960. When the Vietnam war was occurring where my father did 4 tours and was injured and sent back to the United States. He healed and continued his career for 30 years traveling all around the world during his military career, Our father came back in 1968 where he married his lifetime partner & wife Ida V Espinoza, in 1969 where they celebrated 56 years of marriage, within that marriage, the following children were born and raised the following are Michelle Marie Espinoza-Carson eldest daughter,

Roxann Espinoza second born Daughter, Dawn Espinoza third born Daughter and finally his only son Jerremy Moses Espinoza.

Dad carried on his career in the military and held different MOS & duty stations being our first duty station was Seattle Washington, Killeen, Texas , ft Polk , Honolulu, Hawaii , Fort bliss El Paso Tx, West Germany, Kaiser slaughter and Longs Germany Fort Monroe, and Virginia. His positions in the military to company Commander, MP(military police), as well as heading off being an instructor in chemical warfare, for the forest master,/armor, master with top security clearance unmentionable honorable sector admissions held in position.

While stationed in Germany, he proudly served his community beyond his military duties. He held the position of President of the Mexican-American Club for a four-year term, where he dedicated himself to uplifting and supporting Mexican-American individuals serving in the Army. Through his leadership, he organized meaningful community service efforts, celebrated unity through cultural gatherings, and fostered connection by hosting eateries that showcased diverse Hispanic cultures. He brought families together through community dances and cultural events, creating spaces filled with joy, tradition, and togetherness. His passion for sharing culture extended across military bases in Germany, where he operated a Hispanic food truck, offering not only meals but a sense of home, comfort, and belonging to many far from their own.

Beyond his service abroad, his heart for giving knew no bounds. For more than fifty years, he remained deeply committed to charitable dedication and financial support for causes close to his heart. He was a steadfast donor and advocate for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Red Cross, the USO, families of fallen soldiers, families of fallen police officers, and organizations devoted to feeding the hungry. His generosity reached far and wide, supporting Boysville, Boys Town, and numerous churches around the world. He believed deeply in helping those in need, giving quietly and faithfully, never seeking recognition only hoping to make a difference. His last duty station was Fort Monroe, Virginia, where my father retired in 1988. Move back to his home town, San Antonio, Texas, where the family settled and continued life together. Dad started his career into channeling into security at first in the civilian world decided it wasn’t for

Him and decided to go back to college at Saint Phillips, where he thought he wanted to be a physical therapist following up with his continued education to accomplish his degree, receiving a bachelor's degree in science, a minor and mathematics.

He was strong and diligent, always thinking of his family first. Dad made a conscious decision to contract through the US Postal Service and become a truck driver for the next 20 years until 2009.

Our fathers start with unfortunate health circumstances starting with notification of being stricken with colon cancer in 2009 this started an unfortunate situation of multiple medical issues into a down spiral after having radiation treatment and chemotherapy for a year and a half my father suffered a heart attack, recuperated from that a year and a half and into recuperating dad was diagnosed with finding out he had stomach cancer. All these medical issues became very serious and we’re very close. Call to death, but he pulled through and fooled us all many times and beat all the odds and continued to fight back and get better having a strong will stronger than ever. We continued with treatments and hospital visits for the next six years or more. Then we got the news that dad‘s kidneys were failing and we had to start home dialysis, from 2020-2026 ongoing 10 hour treatments every day. Taking care of Dad was definitely a family affair with our small unit at the house, with that being the eldest daughter Michelle, along with my mother helping as much as she could, Natasha would help administer meds and transport him, along with physically lifting him and her children Savastain and Cataleya would help with vitals and bash would help lift as well. Cataleya would read books with our grandpa as well, that is his black pearl as he would call her. Savannah was also his dialysis nurse as she was first aboard when he started in the beginning and even though she got her own home she still made sure her old man was always comfortable and made sure everything was to his liking, khameron or as grandpa called him (shrimp in spanish because of his name) would help lift and walk with grandpa and get anything he would want or need and that would often be him sending kham to get him a craving of food that he wanted or even down to things he would want to look up and buy and they often talked about the service together and grandpa would give kham his advice as he walked that walk already and always told him son stay in it will be good for you and he had to fulfill his promise to always take care of his granddaughter Savannah, Khameron honored our grandpa twice as he asked him to pin his ranks in the military and grandpa was overjoyed by this honor and at the last one when he ranked specialist, grandpa was awarded a coin from khams unit as he served in the war and the best part is the coin is chip and dale from disney and grandpa was a big fan of the old fashion cartoons. Our respect, dedication, and diligent effort from start to finish of continuously becoming the caregivers for my father and my mother. Continue to take on this journey with my parents on caregiving for my father along with my mother daughter, Natasha and daughter Savannah and his great grandchildren Savastain) Cataleya & Misty Rayne granddaughter. My father’s journey with his medical conditions I want to amplify his strong will and what a big fight he put in to stay and take care of his family. He always put his family first always and he fought until the very end his fight ended peacefully on January 21, 2026. My spirit is free. I no longer dwell in the struggle of health issues. He will be dearly missed beyond words. His love was steadfast, his strength unwavering, and his presence a gift to all who were blessed to know him. While our hearts ache in his absence, we find comfort knowing his legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the family he loved so fiercely. We will honor him by keeping his spirit alive in the stories we share, the love we carry forward, and the lessons he instilled in us. Though he is no longer by our side, his presence walks with us every day. While we say goodbye for now, we hold onto the promise that farewell is not forever until we meet again, we love you forever and always grandpa, fly high you are at peace with our loved ones dancing in the sky.

He walked this world with a straight-back stance,
A veteran’s spine, no second chance.
No nonsense spoken, no time for games,
He called it as it was, never dressed it in names.
He took no crap, not once, not ever,
Steel in his voice, resolve like leather.
But beneath that bark and battle worn shell
Lived a heart that quietly loved us well.
He served his country, stood his ground,
Protected his own without making a sound.
A tough old soul, both fierce and true
Hard as the world, but had a heart of gold straight through.

Military Career Awards

Throughout his distinguished military career, our grandfather was awarded numerous honors that reflected his courage, dedication, and unwavering service to his country. These included the three Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal (six awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze service star, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Despite the significance of these awards, he never spoke of them with pride or expectation of recognition. He wore his service quietly and humbly, believing he was simply doing his duty, the job that needed to be done. He did not seek praise or acknowledgment; his reward was knowing he served with honor, integrity, and loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his country.

To us, however, his sacrifices will never go unrecognized. We honor him not only for the medals he earned, but for the bravery, discipline, and selflessness they represent. He stood on the front lines so that others could live in freedom, and his legacy of service will forever live on in our hearts.

We will always honor him for fighting for our freedom and his country.

Received into the gates of heaven

Our dearest husband, father, son, and grandpa has been called home by the Lord, entering into eternal rest and being welcomed into the glorious gates of Heaven. Strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church and trusting in the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ, he now rests in the peace of God, reunited with those who have gone before him.

Awaiting him in Heaven were his beloved mother, Luz Cardosa; his grandparents, Luz Cardosa and Jesus Cardosa; his dearly loved children, Roxann, Dawn, and Jeremy Espinoza; and his precious granddaughter, Misty Dawn Espinoza. Together, they welcomed him into eternal joy, where there is no more pain, sorrow, or suffering, but only the fullness of God’s love.

He leaves behind to mourn his passing yet rejoice in his promise of eternal life his devoted wife, Ida V. Espinoza; his loving daughter, Michelle Espinoza-Carson; his granddaughters, Natasha Carson, Savannah Espinoza, and Misty Rayne Espinoza; and his grandsons, Khameron Espinoza, Jacob Espinoza, Eric Espinoza, and Joshua Espinoza, along with their wives, Amanda, Sabrina, and Alyssa Espinoza. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Vanessa Aranda, who held a special place in his heart.

His legacy of faith, love, and family continues through his treasured great-grandchildren: Savastain Espinoza-Carson, Cataleya Espinoza-Carson, Isaiah Espinoza, Elijah Espinoza, Ezekiel Espinoza, and Theodore Espinoza. Each one is a living testament to the life he built, the values he instilled, and the love he freely gave.

A man of deep faith and unwavering devotion to his family, he lived his life guided by Catholic values of service, sacrifice, and charity. His life reflected a steadfast belief in God’s mercy and a quiet trust in the Resurrection, holding firm to the promise that death is not the end, but a passage into eternal life. Though he is no longer with us in body, his spirit remains ever present in prayer, in memory, and in the love shared among his family.

As we commend his soul to God’s infinite mercy, we entrust him to the loving embrace of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. May the angels lead him into Paradise, and may perpetual light shine upon him, until we are joyfully reunited in the presence of our Lord.

In Loving Memory
Of
Esiquio Espinoza Jr

I am not gone just called above,
Where pain is gone and hearts know love.
Though you can’t see me, I am near,
In whispered prayers and every tear.
God welcomed me with open arms,
Wrapped my soul in heaven’s calm.
I stand at peace, my duty done,
A faithful servant, soldier, son.
I served with honor, strength, and pride,
Now rest in glory by God’s side.
Walk in faith, be strong, stand tall,
I watch you rise, I see it all.
Out of sight, but never gone,
In God’s light, my love lives on.