Obit - Espinosa, Frank A, La Jara, Conejos County, Colorado Donated by Carmel Edwards Transcribed from: La Jara Gazette, Thursday, 3 July 1930 FRANK A. ESPINOZA -------- Prominent Citizen of County Expires Suddenly The grim reaper took unexpected toll Friday evening when Frank A. Espinoza passed away at his home near Antonito. The hand of death fell swiftly at a time very unexpected. For a month Mr. Espinoza had been under the doctor's observation, suffering with intermittent heart attacks, for which ailment quiet was advised. For a week previous to his death he felt greatly improved and on the day of his death he strolled about the house and premises feeling quite jocular among the members of the family. He also entertained several callers during the day, among whom were several prominent politicians of the county. About 8:30 p.m. he took a bath and repaired to his room, clad in his bathrobe, to retire. At about 9:30 a daughter entered his room to see as to his comfort, found him lying, as in sleep, clad in his bathrobe, still, in death. His body and limbs were at ease, showing no indication of any final exertion. Death evidently was instantaneous and without conscious pain. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church at Conejos at 10 o'clock Monday morning. Solemn high mass was served by the Rev. Father Martelle, assisted by Father J.E. McCarthy of Alamosa. These last sad rites were witnessed by one of the largest assemblages of people ever seen at a funeral service in Conejos county. The pallbearers were Anastacio Jiron, J. M. Salazar, Mannel Chavez, Culver A. Green, Asiselo Gonzales, J. P. Jensen, Reginaldo Garcia and W. A. Braiden. The remains were accompanied to the cemetery by an escort of members of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic union and S.P.M.D.T.U., in all of which organizations he was a prominent member. Frank A. Espinoza was born at El Rito, N. M., May 1, 1871, and was, therefore, 59 years of age at the time of his death. He was brought to Conejos county by his parents a few months after his birth. At the age of 5 years his parents died, leaving him under the care of an elder sister, Mrs. Geronimo Valdez. The family being in needy circumstances, at the age of 10 years, he began herding sheep and took sheep as recompense for his labor. Thus early in life he began accumulating a flock which was his start. His schooling was life's experience. With but a few days of school-book learning he acquired an adequate business education and grew to be a man of fine gentlemanly and business accomplishments, respected and given consideration by all. Fraternally, he was associated with the Knights of Columbus and the S.P.M.D.T.U., both of which he served as superior officer, and with the Catholic union, of which he was president at the time of his death. Politically his affiliations were with the Republican party in the councils of which he was a leading factor. He served three terms as county assessor and held the position of county commissioner for six years. He was the father of a splendid family. In addition to his bereaved wife he left two sons and five daughters - Mrs. J. B. Rael, whose husband is professor of Spanish in the university at Eugene, Ore.; Benjamin, assistant cashier of the First Nation bank of La Jara; Mrs. Modesto Gallegos of Del Norte; the Misses Rosa, Eufelia, Elisa and Rosabel, and Frank A., Jr. He also is survived by a brother, Luciano; three sisters, Mrs. Geronimo Valdez and Mrs. Raquelita Valdez, all of Conejos, and Mrs. Rufanita Garcia of Arboles, N. M. He purchased the present farm home from the estate of the late Celestino Garcia about six years ago, which he left in a finely improved condition as a monument to his thrift, industrial pride and industry. In respect to his memory the entire business district of Antonito and the First National bank of La Jara closed their doors during the funeral service. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.