Arnulfo Esparza, Jr.

Arnulfo Esparza, Jr.,with his children by his side, was received into our Lord’s loving embrace and joining his bride in Heaven, on June 14, 2017. He was born in San Benito, Texas from the El Ranchito area of the original Esparzas on March 18, 1932.

A devoted, loving husband and father who took great pride in the accomplishments of all his family. Our father was a quiet man, a man with more common sense and wisdom than an educated man; he may not have been able to read but kept up to date on all events happening through the media. He loved repairing things that with hands that others could not fix. We, his family are the blessed ones to have loved and learned so much from him.  He inspired his children and grandchildren to continue our education so we would not have the struggling life he had to providing with his two hands and hard labor. As the song, Daddy’s Hands; We remember Daddy’s hands when they held my Mama tight, and petted our back for something done right. These are things that we’d forgotten that we loved about the man but I’ll always remember the love in Daddy’s hands.  Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when we were crying, Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when we’d done wrong, Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but we’ve come to understand. There was always love in Daddy’s hands.  We remember Daddy’s hands working till they bled. Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed. If we could do things over, we’d live our lives again and never take for granted the love in Daddy’s hands. When he worked at Alexander’s “La Precula” he was known as “Mr. Clean” as he would leave his work all dirty and filthy then show up the next day with a brilliant white T-shirt that our mother would diligently wash for him. His sons will never forget their haircuts that he would give them. He placed a chair and one of Mom’s old flour can so they would be at his height and start the cutting. He always tried to teach our mother to drive but she refused because then she would have to go on her own. In her manner of thinking, if she wasn’t able to drive than he would have to go along as her driver. After a while you would never see them apart anywhere they went. Since Mom’s demise he missed going out, as it has not the same without her.  He loved the holidays as his family would gather together but more when his grandchildren were there with him.   When we were children, we would be in awe of his gift working with wood, his carpentry skills which he always began with the Catholic Sign of the Cross and said a prayer before beginning his projects. He also was instrumental in our introduction to our faith and seeing that we attended Mass, his sons wore their white shirts, pants and boots and of course his daughter in her dress.  He made sure along with Mom of our religious education of their beloved Roman Catholic Church at St. Benedict’s. We saw the love that Mom and Dad had for each other. Many family and friends would also see, comment and admired it. How we will envy those Angels in Heaven with their gifts and talents.

He is joining his loving parents, Margarita G and Arnulfo Esparza, Sr,. his bride, Lupe Esparza, his handsome brother, Alberto Esparza and his beautiful sister Maria E Bridges , and his baby sister, Olivia Esparza, his in laws, Hilaro & Maria Martinez, his sister in law Margarita Martinez and his brothers in law, Alfonso Martinez, Chencho Martinez, Celedonio Tolento and his favorite little brother in law, Lorenzo Martinez

His love and legacy continues with his five children; daughter Lydia (Jose Angel - Jay) Jaramillo of San Benito, Alvaro Esparza of Austin, Armando (Charity) Esparza of Kyle, Arnoldo Esparza of Lakeside, CA and Abelardo Esparza of Austin. His grandchildren will also miss him tremendously, Beatriz (Nate) Hoover of Port Orchard, Washington, Dulce Jaramillo of Portland, Oregon, Arnulfo Danny (Cara) Esparza of Killeen Fort Hood, and Melissa Esparza of Lakeside, CA. His greatest joy were his great-granddaughters, Aurora Skye and Scarlett Valentina of Port Orchard, WA.  He is also survived by his sisters, Oralia (+Celedonio)Tolento and Beatriz (Dennis) Irby, his brothers: Raul (Maria) Esparza, Ernesto (Noemi) Esparza, Abelardo (Beatriz) Esparza and Samuel (Belinda) Esparza.. His other family members are his sisters-in-law, Rosa (Martin) Zapata, and Dolores Alvarez, his brothers-in-law, Alejandro (Cuco)(Fidela) Martinez, Reynaldo Martinez, +Lorenzo (Sylvia) Martinez, +Alfonso Poncho (Maria) Martinez. He loved his numerous nephews, and nieces and their children from far and away.

The Esparza family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to those who cared for our father: Teresa Guzman, a blessing of a good friend and provider; Vicky Roy Staff- Velma , Eusebia and Rosie,  Dr. Michael Finger, his urologist specialist, Dr. Michael Araneda, his oncologist, Dr Bathla , Dr. P Gogia at Su Clinica Familiar,  Golda, Jessica, and Ramiro in MICU, along with 4th floor Dr. Castillo, Ruby, and staff who made it possible for Daddy to pass peacefully. Our outmost gratefulness to Chaplains at Valley Baptist who gave Daddy his Anointing of the Oil and he was alert to say he accepted it and said he was ready to go home.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 18th from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the Holy Rosary services at 7:00 pm San Benito Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m.  Monday, June 19, 2017 at San Benedict’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park

You may send your condolences to the Esparza address: 338 S Bonham, San Benito TX

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of San Benito Funeral Home