Alfonso Tovares Esparza, decorated Vietnam War veteran, dedicated and loving husband, faithful son and brother, doting father and grandfather, and wise mentor to countless family and friends died Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Corpus Christi at the age of 65 from heart disease.
He was born into a family of 10 siblings on April 2, 1945 in Corpus Christi, and was one of seven boys and three girls, and the son of the late Juana and Juan Esparza.
He attended Cunningham Middle School and Roy Miller High School, but eventually graduated high school in California. He proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Lance Corporal over two tours of duty in Vietnam, from March 17, 1966 to April 5, 1968. His valor and dedication to duty was undeniable, he returned to Corpus Christi and joined the Regional Transportation Authority as a bus driver. Quite unexpectedly, he met a beautiful passenger on his bus route who instantly captivated him and would change his life forever: his wife and lifetime soul mate, Adelina, of 40 years. In 1971, the happy couple was blessed with their first daughter Rebecca and again in 1976 with their second daughter Christina. The family was uprooted to Houston in 1974, upon the death of his mother where Alfonso was integral in the success of the family owned gas station. A few years later, the family moved back to Corpus Christi. Throughout his career, many fondly recall him as being a hard-working bread winner for his family as a route sales driver for Dr. Pepper and Pepsi, material expediter at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, servicing customers at Standard Coffee Co. and selling life insurance. Other than the births of his two daughters, Alfonso's proudest moment was the addition of A.J., his seven-year old grandson, to the family in 2003 whom he loved tremendously and constantly doted upon. His greatest legacy besides serving his country during war time, was being the consummate provider, caregiver, supporter, adviser and confidant for his family. He was affectionately known as 'Fo Fo' and 'Fonso.' His daughters were proud to share him as a father figure to so many who loved and admired him. It has been said many times how generous and giving Alfonso was throughout his life. He enjoyed celebrating 'Christmas everyday' and thought nothing of giving a stranger the shirt off his back, money for a cup of coffee or anonymously sponsoring various local charity events with no need for recognition or merit.
He is survived by his loving wife, Adelina; his daughters: Rebecca Esparza (Robert Marraro) and Christina (Javier) Cantu, and his beloved grandson, A.J., all of Corpus Christi; other immediate family members include two brothers: Hector (Janey) and Richard (Linda) Esparza and a sister, Mary Wages all from Houston, along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, friends and other family members in Houston, Odessa and throughout the Coastal Bend.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Monday, October 25, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., that same evening in the chapel.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
He was born into a family of 10 siblings on April 2, 1945 in Corpus Christi, and was one of seven boys and three girls, and the son of the late Juana and Juan Esparza.
He attended Cunningham Middle School and Roy Miller High School, but eventually graduated high school in California. He proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Lance Corporal over two tours of duty in Vietnam, from March 17, 1966 to April 5, 1968. His valor and dedication to duty was undeniable, he returned to Corpus Christi and joined the Regional Transportation Authority as a bus driver. Quite unexpectedly, he met a beautiful passenger on his bus route who instantly captivated him and would change his life forever: his wife and lifetime soul mate, Adelina, of 40 years. In 1971, the happy couple was blessed with their first daughter Rebecca and again in 1976 with their second daughter Christina. The family was uprooted to Houston in 1974, upon the death of his mother where Alfonso was integral in the success of the family owned gas station. A few years later, the family moved back to Corpus Christi. Throughout his career, many fondly recall him as being a hard-working bread winner for his family as a route sales driver for Dr. Pepper and Pepsi, material expediter at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, servicing customers at Standard Coffee Co. and selling life insurance. Other than the births of his two daughters, Alfonso's proudest moment was the addition of A.J., his seven-year old grandson, to the family in 2003 whom he loved tremendously and constantly doted upon. His greatest legacy besides serving his country during war time, was being the consummate provider, caregiver, supporter, adviser and confidant for his family. He was affectionately known as 'Fo Fo' and 'Fonso.' His daughters were proud to share him as a father figure to so many who loved and admired him. It has been said many times how generous and giving Alfonso was throughout his life. He enjoyed celebrating 'Christmas everyday' and thought nothing of giving a stranger the shirt off his back, money for a cup of coffee or anonymously sponsoring various local charity events with no need for recognition or merit.
He is survived by his loving wife, Adelina; his daughters: Rebecca Esparza (Robert Marraro) and Christina (Javier) Cantu, and his beloved grandson, A.J., all of Corpus Christi; other immediate family members include two brothers: Hector (Janey) and Richard (Linda) Esparza and a sister, Mary Wages all from Houston, along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, friends and other family members in Houston, Odessa and throughout the Coastal Bend.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Monday, October 25, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., that same evening in the chapel.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Alfonso Tovares Esparza, decorated Vietnam War veteran, dedicated and loving husband, faithful son and brother, doting father and grandfather, and wise mentor to countless family and friends died Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Corpus Christi at the age of 65 from heart disease.
He was born into a family of 10 siblings on April 2, 1945 in Corpus Christi, and was one of seven boys and three girls, and the son of the late Juana and Juan Esparza.
He attended Cunningham Middle School and Roy Miller High School, but eventually graduated high school in California. He proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Lance Corporal over two tours of duty in Vietnam, from March 17, 1966 to April 5, 1968. His valor and dedication to duty was undeniable, he returned to Corpus Christi and joined the Regional Transportation Authority as a bus driver. Quite unexpectedly, he met a beautiful passenger on his bus route who instantly captivated him and would change his life forever: his wife and lifetime soul mate, Adelina, of 40 years. In 1971, the happy couple was blessed with their first daughter Rebecca and again in 1976 with their second daughter Christina. The family was uprooted to Houston in 1974, upon the death of his mother where Alfonso was integral in the success of the family owned gas station. A few years later, the family moved back to Corpus Christi. Throughout his career, many fondly recall him as being a hard-working bread winner for his family as a route sales driver for Dr. Pepper and Pepsi, material expediter at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, servicing customers at Standard Coffee Co. and selling life insurance. Other than the births of his two daughters, Alfonso's proudest moment was the addition of A.J., his seven-year old grandson, to the family in 2003 whom he loved tremendously and constantly doted upon. His greatest legacy besides serving his country during war time, was being the consummate provider, caregiver, supporter, adviser and confidant for his family. He was affectionately known as 'Fo Fo' and 'Fonso.' His daughters were proud to share him as a father figure to so many who loved and admired him. It has been said many times how generous and giving Alfonso was throughout his life. He enjoyed celebrating 'Christmas everyday' and thought nothing of giving a stranger the shirt off his back, money for a cup of coffee or anonymously sponsoring various local charity events with no need for recognition or merit.
He is survived by his loving wife, Adelina; his daughters: Rebecca Esparza (Robert Marraro) and Christina (Javier) Cantu, and his beloved grandson, A.J., all of Corpus Christi; other immediate family members include two brothers: Hector (Janey) and Richard (Linda) Esparza and a sister, Mary Wages all from Houston, along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, friends and other family members in Houston, Odessa and throughout the Coastal Bend.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Monday, October 25, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., that same evening in the chapel.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
He was born into a family of 10 siblings on April 2, 1945 in Corpus Christi, and was one of seven boys and three girls, and the son of the late Juana and Juan Esparza.
He attended Cunningham Middle School and Roy Miller High School, but eventually graduated high school in California. He proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Lance Corporal over two tours of duty in Vietnam, from March 17, 1966 to April 5, 1968. His valor and dedication to duty was undeniable, he returned to Corpus Christi and joined the Regional Transportation Authority as a bus driver. Quite unexpectedly, he met a beautiful passenger on his bus route who instantly captivated him and would change his life forever: his wife and lifetime soul mate, Adelina, of 40 years. In 1971, the happy couple was blessed with their first daughter Rebecca and again in 1976 with their second daughter Christina. The family was uprooted to Houston in 1974, upon the death of his mother where Alfonso was integral in the success of the family owned gas station. A few years later, the family moved back to Corpus Christi. Throughout his career, many fondly recall him as being a hard-working bread winner for his family as a route sales driver for Dr. Pepper and Pepsi, material expediter at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, servicing customers at Standard Coffee Co. and selling life insurance. Other than the births of his two daughters, Alfonso's proudest moment was the addition of A.J., his seven-year old grandson, to the family in 2003 whom he loved tremendously and constantly doted upon. His greatest legacy besides serving his country during war time, was being the consummate provider, caregiver, supporter, adviser and confidant for his family. He was affectionately known as 'Fo Fo' and 'Fonso.' His daughters were proud to share him as a father figure to so many who loved and admired him. It has been said many times how generous and giving Alfonso was throughout his life. He enjoyed celebrating 'Christmas everyday' and thought nothing of giving a stranger the shirt off his back, money for a cup of coffee or anonymously sponsoring various local charity events with no need for recognition or merit.
He is survived by his loving wife, Adelina; his daughters: Rebecca Esparza (Robert Marraro) and Christina (Javier) Cantu, and his beloved grandson, A.J., all of Corpus Christi; other immediate family members include two brothers: Hector (Janey) and Richard (Linda) Esparza and a sister, Mary Wages all from Houston, along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, friends and other family members in Houston, Odessa and throughout the Coastal Bend.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Monday, October 25, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., that same evening in the chapel.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
