Frank A Espinoza

Our beloved dad, Frank Amador Espinoza, Sr., age 94, of San Antonio, Texas, departed peacefully on Tuesday, November 04, 2025, at 7:00 am, at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his wife of many years, our mom, Julia M. Espinoza.

Four (4) sisters, Apolonia Garza, Mary Merino, Lucy Coronado, Paula Muñoz, and two (2) brothers, Mike Espinoza, Jesus Espinoza, have also preceded our dad in death. One (1) sister, Celia Morales, and one (1) brother, John A. Espinoza, Jr, survive our dad.

The surviving members of our dad's immediate family include one daughter and three sons, the youngest being Victor Espinoza. Other surviving members include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Our dad also leaves many other members of his family as well as scores of friends and acquaintances who sadly miss him.

Funeral arrangements for our dad include the following details:

November 11, Tuesday, VETERANS DAY

Puente and Sons Funeral Home

3520 S. Flores St.

San Antonio, Texas

Viewing - 2-5 pm,

3:50 pm, Rosary

November 12, Wednesday

NO PROCESSION FROM FUNERAL HOME

All interested parties are to meet at

FORT SAM HOUSTON CEMETERY, Shelter #2,

for full military service at 10:15 am, sharp

(only 20 minutes permitted)

On March 09, 1931, our dad was born in Bastrop, Texas, the fifth child and second son of our grandmother, Juana (Juanita) Amador Espinoza and our grandfather, John (Juan) H. Espinoza. Altogether, our grandparents would welcome nine (9) children: five (5) daughters and four (4) sons.

Our grandfather was a tenant farmer who knew firsthand the value of hard work, and this he instilled in our dad who was much more interested in matters of book-learning than in taking care of chores around the farm.

A passion for learning, our dad also acquired from our grandfather to appreciate and understand the importance of education.

Early on, our dad joined his older siblings in working on the farm. He, like his father, worked hard which left very little time or opportunity to crack a book. But, our dad did, and continued to do so throughout his esteemed life.

In time, the Espinoza family moved to the valley (of Texas) where our dad graduated with honors from Weslaco High School at the age of 16 (almost 17) years. Shortly after graduating, he yearned to continue to further his education.

Always curious and eager to explore, especially the challenge of the unknown, our dad had a liking for real adventure, and it was not long before he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps. Once on active duty, our dad pursued military service wholeheartedly, and quickly, often meritoriously, ascended through the grades to achieve the rank of E-9 or Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt), the highest technical enlisted grade, before retiring. His long and varied, distinguished and decorated career in military service included combat duty in Korea and in Vietnam. It was because of our dad's stellar career in the Marine Corps that we, his two sons, Frank H. Espinoza, Jr. (older

brother) and Jack L. Espinoza, enlisted in the same branch of service where we both distinguished ourselves. I, Dianna Cassidy, the oldest of four children, enlisted in the Coast Guard to also distinguish myself. We, his children, learned from our dad the importance of active military service and duty to country.

Soon following his retirement from the Marine Corps, our dad continued to actively pursue his lifelong passion for learning by furthering his education on a collegiate level. He received separately with honors a master's degree in English and in Spanish. Then, our dad successfully became a professor of both languages and was held in highest regard by faculty and students.

After officially retiring from active employment, our dad spent much of his time tendering what he considered his second passion, that of living in a rural setting. He therefore maintained a residence in San Antonio as well as one at a farm in Medina County.

Our dad had a third passion. It was a love of life which he daily endeavored to live fully. One of his favorite expressions he often cited was "Never waste a moment on regret, instead take full advantage of every opportunity you make possible."

Dad, we, your children, love and miss you so much,

Dianna Cassidy

Frank H. Espinoza, Jr.

Jack L. Espinoza

Victor Espinoza